Posted at 6:25 a.m., Friday, January 4, 2008
Baseball: Veteran P Nomo signs K.C. minor league deal
Associated Press
TOKYO — Japanese pitcher Hideo Nomo isn't ready to give up on his career in the major leagues just yet.Nomo said today on his official Web site that he has signed a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals.
"I want to hang in there no matter what, hoping that I won't get injured," the 39-year-old veteran said on his home page.
Nomo will take part in the Royals' spring training camp next month as a non-roster invitee in his bid to return to the major leagues, where he has compiled a 123-109 record over 11 seasons.
In his first major league season with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995, Nomo was named to the National League All-Star team and won the NL Rookie of the Year award after posting a 13-6 record with a 2.54 ERA.
Nomo last made a major league appearance in July 2005 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League last year. He has also played for the New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox.
The Royals will be managed by Trey Hillman, who spent the last five seasons managing the Nippon Ham Fighters in Japan's Pacific League.
