Royals re-sign Austin Cox to a minor league contract

The lefty once set an MLB record to start his career.

The Royals announced they have signed left-handed pitcher Austin Cox to a minor league contract. The 27-year-old had been a minor league free agent after spending all of last year with Omaha.

Cox came up with the Royals in 2023 and set an MLB record by not allowing a hit to the first 39 batters he faced in the big leagues. He posted a 4.54 ERA in 35 2⁄3 innings, but tore his ACL late in the year, ending his season early. He was non-tendered after the year and re-signed to a minor league deal. He spent most of the 2024 season in Triple-A, posting a 4.08 ERA for Omaha with 56 strikeouts in 53 innings, but with 6.3 walks-per-nine-innings.

Cox has been a starter and reliever on his career. He relies mostly on his 91 mph four-seamer, also mixing in a cutter, curve, and change up. MLB lefties hit just .189/.283/.264 against him in 2023.