The Kansas City Royals signed left-handed pitcher Jeff Francis to a one-year deal that is pending a physical exam. Consistent with club policy, terms were not disclosed.

Francis just turned 30 last weekend and is a career 55-50 with a 4.77 ERA in 150 career Major League appearances, including 149 starts with the Colorado Rockies. Last season, he was 4-10 with a 5.00 ERA in 20 games after coming back from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss all of 2009.