KANSAS CITY, Mo., Jan. 10 (UPI) -- The Kansas City Royals took a step toward
solidifying their rotation Thursday by re-signing veteran righthander Paul Byrd to a one-year contract.
Financial terms were not disclosed.
Byrd was 4-6 with a 4.05 ERA for the Royals in 2001, but the team took a calculated risk by not offering him a contract and allowing him to become a free agent. After finding little interest on the open market, the 31-year-old Byrd opted to return to Kansas City.
Byrd made $650,000 last season, when he made 16 appearances -- 15 starts -- for the Royals.
Obtained from the Philadelphia Phillies on June 5 for reliever Jose Santiago, Byrd was a combined 6-7 with a 4.44 ERA in 19 appearances in 2001. He has a career record of 35-35 with a 4.59 ERA in 163 appearances.
Kansas City still faces arbitration hearings with Carlos Febles, Carlos Beltran, Jose Rosado and Neifi Perez.
