Royals sign former Twin Philip Humber to minor league deal

The Royals announced today that the club has agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Philip Humber on a minor league contract for the 2010 season.  Humber will receive an invitation to Major League Spring Training.

The 26-year old Humber has spent the past two seasons in the Minnesota Twins organization after serving as a key figure in the five-player trade that sent pitcher Johan Santana to the New York Mets.  The 6-foot-4 right-hander is 0-0 with a 6.07 ERA in 18 career Major League appearances (1 start) for the Mets (2006-07) and Twins (2008-09).  He was 7-9 with a 5.34 ERA in 23 games (22 starts) for Rochester (AAA) in 2009 and also made eight relief appearances for Minnesota.  Born in Nacogdoches, Texas, the Mets’ first-round selection (3rd overall) in the 2004 Draft now resides in Carthage, Texas, with his wife, Kristan.