Former Phillies, Mets reliever signs Royals contract despite ugly 10.38 ERA

The Kansas City Royals are flipping a coin on a left-handed pitcher who was released earlier this month by the Philadelphia Phillies. 

The Phillies cut ties with the reliever mainly because he allowed 20 earned runs in 17.1 innings at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. 

Genesis Cabrera has signed a minor league contract with the Royals, according to an announcement from the AL Central club. 

After starting his career as a reliable arm in the St. Louis Cardinals bullpen, Cabrera's career has not continued as he had hoped. In 2025, he spent time with four different organizations, including the New York Mets. 

"With upper-90s velocity from the left side, Cabrera has flashed some occasional swing-and-miss stuff along with command struggles," Darragh McDonald of MLB Trade Rumors wrote Friday. 

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At the worst, the Royals have brought in an extra arm who has Major League experience. At best, Cabrera finds a groove and contributes to a postseason run in Kansas City. 

Alongside Cabrera, the Royals also signed former Atlanta Braves World Series champion reliever Luke Jackson today. 

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