Royals sign ex-Tigers reliever Joba Chamberlain

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Veteran pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Wandy Rodriguez agreed to minor league contracts Sunday with the Kansas City Royals, the American League Central leaders, and will report to Triple-A Omaha.

Chamberlain, a 29-year-old right-hander, is 25-21 with a 3.89 ERA in 359 games in the majors with the New York Yankees and Detroit Tigers. He was 0-2 with a 4.09 ERA in 30 relief appearances this season with Detroit. Chamberlain was a Nebraska teammate of Royals left fielder Alex Gordon, who is on the disabled list.

The Toronto Blue Jays had signed Chamberlain to a minor-league deal, but released him from Triple-A Buffalo a few days ago.

Rodriguez, a 36-year-old left-hander, went 6-4 with a 4.90 ERA this season with the Texas Rangers, who released him Aug. 4. He has also pitched for the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates in his 11-year big league career.