Today, former Phillie Ryan Madson, 34, signed a minor league deal with the Kansas City Royals. The deal includes an invitation to major league spring training. Since leaving the Phillies organization in 2011, Madson has been troubled with elbow issues, getting two tommy john surgeries. After the 2011 season, the Phillies went a different direction singing Jonathan Papelbon. Prior that signing, it was reported the Phillies signed Madson to a four year, $44 million deal, but it fell through. That led to him ultimately signing with the Reds, where he first injured his elbow during spring training. Even with the injury issue, the Angels took chances on him in 2013, where he reinjured the elbow. After taking all of 2014 off, the right hander is attempting another come back.
With the Phillies, Madson pitched to a 2.89 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 329 2/3 innings between 2007-2011. In his final season with the Phillies in 2011, Madson established himself as very promising closer. In 2011, Madson pitched to a 2.37 ERA with 9.2 K/9, 2.4 BB/9, and 48.8% ground ball rate over 60 2/3 innings leading to him gathering 32 saves. Madson will be remembered in Philadelphia for being on the 2008 World Series team and being the pitcher on the field facing the Mets when Osama Bin Laden was killed by Navy Seals leading to “USA” chants in Citizen’s Bank Park.
Andrew Shipotofsky is a writer for Philliedelphia
