The Oakland Athletics acquired right-hander Homer Bailey from the Kansas City Royals on Sunday afternoon in exchange for a minor-league prospect.
Bailey, 33, is 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 18 starts this season. He joined the Royals during the offseason after spending his first 12 seasons with the Cincinnati Reds.
A recent hot streak by Bailey likely increased Oakland’s interest in making a deal. In his past eight starts, Bailey is 3-1 with a 3.35 ERA.
Bailey was slated to start Sunday, but the Royals scratched him as reports surfaced about the trade.
In return, the Royals got infielder Kevin Merrell, who was Oakland’s first-round draft pick in 2017. Merrell, 23, is expected to report to Double-A Northwest Arkansas.
In 82 games this season with Oakland’s Double-A affiliate Midland, Merrell is batting .246 (71-for-289) with 13 doubles, four triples, two home runs, 37 runs scored and 13 stolen bases.
