Cox has been with the Royals his entire career and made his MLB debut in 2023, pitching to a 4.54 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 35 2/3 innings. However, he tore his ACL in September of that year and then spent all of last season in the minors. The Royals will hope that he can emerge as an impactful lefty reliever now that he’s another year removed from surgery.

Cox is back with Kansas City just a few days after opting out of his previous minor league contract with the club. The 27-year-old lefty compiled a serviceable 4.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 33/17 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings (24 appearances, three starts) last year for Kansas City before undergoing surgery in September to repair a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.

Cox exercised the opt-out clause in his minor league contract with the Royals and is now a free agent. The 27-year-old lefty posted a respectable 4.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 33/17 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings (24 appearances, three starts) last year for Kansas City before undergoing surgery in September to repair a torn ACL and MCL in his left knee.

It’s likely a two-year deal for Cox, who is expected to miss most of, if not all, of the 2024 campaign following September left knee surgery to address a torn ACL and MLC damage as well. The 26-year-old rookie southpaw ended the 2023 season with a serviceable 4.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 33/17 K/BB ratio across 35 2/3 innings (24 appearances, three starts).