25 opportunities and retained the closer role even after Lidge returned from the DL in July. Madson finished the season with 32 saves, 62 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.37. A free agent, Madson was close to negotiating a four-year, $44 million contract to remain with the Phillies, but Phillies general manager Rubén Amaro, Jr. reneged on the verbal agreement and instead signed Jonathan Papelbon to a four-year $50 million deal to replace Madson as the team's closer. Injuries and initial retirement During the 2011–12 offseason, Madson agreed to a one-year $8.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds. Before the end of spring training, Madson had a torn ligament in his right elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery, and missed the entire 2012 season. He never pitched for the Reds, as he declined his option on October 31 and became a free agent. On November 28, 2012, Madson agreed to a one-year deal with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He began the 2013 season on the 15-day disabled list as he attempted to recover from the Tommy John surgery. Later in the season, the Angels transferred Madson to the 60-day disabled list. He was released on August 5 without appearing in a game. Madson tried out with several teams in January 2014 but received no minor league deals from them, so he retired. Kansas City Royals (2015) Madson had become a youth baseball coach in California after his retirement, and in 2014, he received a call from Kansas City Royals executive Jim Fregosi Jr., asking Madson to tutor a high school pitcher. Working with the student inspired Madson to return to MLB, and he contacted Fregosi again that winter. On January 4, 2015, the Royals signed Madson to a minor league contract that included an invitation to spring training. Madson was the last player added to the Royals' 25-man roster, beating out Brian Flynn for the final bullpen position in a decision that manager Ned Yost called "the hardest ... I think I've ever had to make". He made his first major league appearance in over three years on April 6, 2015, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in the Royals' 10-1 Opening Day defeat of the Chicago White Sox. By the end of May, Madson had become a staple of Kansas City's strong bullpen, with a 1.74 ERA and 21 strikeouts in innings over 18 appearances. With Wade Davis and