The Kansas City Royals signed Aaron Sanchez to a minor league deal with an invite to spring training on Tuesday.

Sanchez has not pitched in the big leagues since 2022, but he just had a dominant season in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional de la República Dominicana. He had a 1.55 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 39 strikeouts in eight starts for the Toros Del Este. He was named Pitcher of the Year and will now look to make his return to the big leagues.

Aaron Sanchez es electo Lanzador del Año de esta temporada LIDOM 2025-26.

Record: 4-2
Salidas: 8
PCL: 1.55
WHIP: 0.95
BB: 9
K: 39 pic.twitter.com/0HgMhi6Fkz

— Toros Del Este (@TorosdelEste) January 6, 2026

Sanchez was an All-Star and ERA champion with the Toronto Blue Jays, the team that drafted him with the 34th overall pick in the 2010 MLB Draft. He was the Blue Jays’ top prospect in 2013. He had a 2.66 ERA in his first two seasons, splitting time as a starter and reliever. However, in 2016, he was a full-time starter and dominated.

He had an American League-best 3.00 ERA in 30 starts and had 161 career strikeouts. The strikeout numbers were shocking,  considering he has a 53.2% ground ball rate. However, since that season, he has a 5.29 ERA in 79 games. He has played for the Blue Jays, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals in that span.

In 2023, he spent time with the Twins and Arizona Diamondbacks in Triple-A. In 2024, he was back with the Blue Jays organization, but pitched in just 14 games at the minor league level. After not playing in the big leagues last season, he found his best form again in LIDOM.

The Royals are hoping for him to continue what he did in the Dominican Republic in spring training. The Royals’ rotation has plenty of capable arms, so Sanchez could be a depth option for the Royals. However, if he dominates in the spring, he could swipe a spot on the opening day roster.

Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic and Seth Lugo’s spots in the rotation are safe. Michael Wacha, who had a 3.86 ERA last season, and Noah Cameron, who posted a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts last year, round out the rotation.

The Royals also have right-handed pitchers Alec Marsh, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Mason Black on the 40-man roster, and they all have starting experience in the big leagues.

Sanchez faces an uphill battle to make the opening day roster, but he could earn himself a spot on the 40-man roster as starting pitching depth. He has an outside chance at making the opening day roster as a swingman for the pitching staff. He does have experience coming out of the bullpen.

Bailey Falter figures to be in the swingman role for the Royals right now, but if Sanchez pitches as he did in winter ball, he could take that job. However, even if Sanchez does not make the team out of spring training, he could be a valuable piece. Pitching depth is important, and Sanchez is a high-upside arm. According to MLB insider Robert Murray, his deal includes an assignment clause and release clauses on April 15 and May 15.

Sanchez’s struggles after 2016 may be attributed to injuries. He dealt with a chronic finger issue from 2017 to 2019, and even underwent surgery in 2018. In 2019, after he was traded to the Astros, he underwent season-ending shoulder surgery. It’s been quite some time since that, but his recent stretch in the Dominican Republic is the best he’s looked at any level since his All-Star season.

Photo: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez delivers during the first inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston, Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)