Kip Wells has traveled a strange odyssey over the past six months, from injured pitcher, to concerned parent and husband, to the father of a recently-born son.
He’s looking to add another chapter. Wells became a free agent today and signed with the Kansas City Royals. The Royals are looking for Wells to provide immediate help for their bullpen beginning tonight.
Wells, designated for assignment by the Rockies after the arrival of Livan Hernandez, has kept his arm strong by throwing three times over the past week in his hometown of Houston.
“It’s done. I am flying out to Cleveland tomorrow (to join the Royals),” Wells said tonight. “This is a good opportunity to get right back in the big leagues.”
Wells went 1-2 with a 5.27 ERA for the Rockies, unable to find a niche after missing 10 weeks with a blood clot injury and subsequent rehabilitation assignment. After failing in a one-shot audition for the rotation, he pitched well in his last relief outing, working two scoreless innings against the Nationals on Aug. 7.
The Dodgers, who begin a three-game series with the Rockies on Tuesday in Los Angeles, and Twins have also been active in their search for a starting pitcher. As of late Monday, the Dodgers were on the verge of re-acquiring Greg Maddux, according to The Los Angeles Times.
If Wells signs with another club, the Rockies will receive salary relief. They owed the right-hander roughly $900,000 when they cut ties. Whatever major league salary Wells signs for with another team – likely around the $390,000 minimum – would be pro-rated to offset the Rockies’ remaining commitment.
Troy E. Renck: 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com
