The upstart Royals are looking to make the most of a solid breakthrough season.
Kansas City has acquired right-handed reliever Hunter Harvey from the Washington Nationals, the team announced on Saturday.
In exchange, the Royals sent back minor league third baseman Cayden Wallace and their competitive balance draft pick, the 39th overall in Sunday’s draft.
Harvey, 29, has made 43 appearances for the Nationals this season and has picked up a 2-4 record and 4.20 ERA in 45.0 IP. He has 50 strikeouts and 12 walks and has earned a career-high 26 holds this season.
“I think it means a lot for us,” manager Matt Quatraro said in the dugout at Fenway Park prior to Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox.
“When we talk about that, you have to be mindful of the guys that are in the bullpen as well. It’s a really quality group,” he said. “They’ve done a remarkable job. We’ve asked a lot of a lot of guys that don’t have a lot of reps out there. … Adding a guy like Harvey that can pitch in high leverage, is probably going take some pressure off some guys and just gives us another option when we get in these high-pressure games.”
The Catawba, N.C., native has a career 3.20 ERA and 1.097 WHIP in 164 appearances over six seasons in the majors with the Baltimore Orioles and Nationals.
Wallace, 22, was the Royals’ No. 2 prospect according to MLB pipeline and is batting .282 at double-A this season. He has three home runs and two stolen bases in 34 games.
The Royals are currently 52-44 and third in the AL Cental, seven games back of the division-leading Cleveland Guardians. They’re one game back of the Boston Red Sox for the final wild card spot.
— With files from Associated Press