Royals sign OF Rick Ankiel

The team did not disclose a sum, but MLB.com and The Kansas City Star said the pitcher-turned-outfielder will make $3.25 million and that the deal includes a mutual signing option on a $6 million contract for 2011.

Ankiel, 29, must pass a physical exam Monday.

The slugger was a starting pitcher when he began his major league career with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was the National League's 2000 Rookie of the Year before a prolonged bout with wildness, beginning with four walks and five wild pitches in the third inning of Game 1 of the 2000 National League Division Series against Atlanta.

He was an outfielder when he returned to the Cardinals at the end of the 2007 season and has a .251 career batting average with 49 homers and 157 RBI in 344 games.

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