The Royals announced today that the club has signed left-handed pitcher Bruce Chen to a one-year contract for the 2014 season, with a mutual option for 2015.  In a corresponding roster move, infielder Emilio Bonifacio was designated for assignment.

Chen, 36, completed his fifth season with the Royals in 2013, going 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA (44 ER in 121.0 IP) in 34 appearances (15 starts).  He worked out of the bullpen worked out of the bullpen the first three months of the season, before earning a spot in the rotation on July 12.  He posted a 5-0 mark and a 1.62 ERA (13 ER in 72.1 IP) from the start of the year to August 17.  

The lefty is 80-76 in 385 big league outings (218 starts).  He needs three more wins to pass Mariano Rivera (82) for the most Major League wins by a pitcher born in Panama.  

Bonifacio, 28, was traded to the Royals on August 14 of last season, batting .285 (45-for-158) with 16 stolen bases in 42 games with Kansas City.