Royals Sign Moore to Triple-A Contract

PLANT CITY, Fla. —  Relief pitcher Donnie Moore, out of work since being released by the Angels late last season, has signed a triple-A contract with the Kansas City Royals and will report to their major league camp today.

Scout Al Kubski recommended the signing after watching Moore work out in Orange County.

“If he’s anywhere near what he was before, he can help us. We have nothing to lose,” Kansas City Manager John Wathan said, confirming the Thursday signing.

David Pinter, Moore’s agent, said he recently wrote a letter to Angel owner Gene Autry saying Moore, who set a club record with 31 saves in 1985 but was plagued by physical problems in his last two years with the team, would be willing to accept a blank contract for the opportunity to go to camp with the Angels, but Autry apparently wasn’t interested.

“Donnie is throwing 88 to 90 (m.p.h.) again,” Pinter said. “He may have to go to the minors first to get some work, but he’s definitely going to help Kansas City.”