Jaylon Thompson | Kansas City Star

The Kansas City Royals continue to round out their big-league camp roster ahead of spring training, which starts next week in Surprise, Arizona.

The Royals signed infielder Brandon Drury to a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training on Wednesday. Drury, 33, last played in the majors during the 2024 season. He spent last year in Triple-A with the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago White Sox.

The Royals are banking that Drury can return to the form he exhibited in 2023, when he belted 26 homers in 125 games with the Angels. In 2022 he earned a Silver Slugger Award for his production with the Cincinnati Reds and San Diego Padres.

Drury can also play all over the field. He will provide valuable depth this spring at second base, third base and the outfield spots.

Multiple Royals players will be taking part in the World Baseball Classic this spring. Bobby Witt Jr., Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Salvador Perez are among the KC players who are set to compete for their respective home countries.

This will create space for some non-roster invitees to garner playing time this spring. Drury will be joining such other MLB veterans as Kevin Newman, Josh Rojas and Abraham Toro in camp. The Royals will get a look at these veterans throughout the spring.

Drury has played for seven teams. He last spent MLB time in the Angels organization, generating 182 hits in 222 games.

The Royals also on Wednesday agreed to one-year contracts with seven players: Luinder Avila, Steven Cruz, Lucas Erceg, Carter Jensen, Stephen Kolek, Ben Kudrna and Nick Loftin.