KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals have added another arm to their bullpen and a bat just hours before the MLB Trade Deadline on Tuesday.
The Royals acquired relief pitcher Lucas Erceg from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for right handed pitchers Mason Barnett and Will Klein and outfielder Jared Dickey.
The team confirmed the Erceg move around 3:30 p.m. and the DeJong trade around 4 p.m.
On the season, Erceg is 2-3 with a 3.68 ERA, 41 strikeouts and 13 walks in 38 games. He is under club control until 2029.
He provides an upgrade to an inconsistent Royals bullpen. The Royals have now traded for Erceg, Hunter Harvey and Michael Lorenzen over the past two weeks to strengthen their rotation for a playoff push.
The Royals also added veteran shortstop Paul DeJong from the Chicago White Sox. In a corresponding move, RHP John McMillon has been designated for assignment. The White Sox and Royals are currently in a series against each other so all DeJong will have to do is switch dugouts.
DeJong is currently batting .228 with 18 home runs and 41 RBIs in 102 games. With Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop, DeJong could get moved to 3rd base. He provides the Royals with another bat and more power within the lineup.
The Trade Deadline is at 5 p.m CT.
The Royals face the White Sox tonight at 7:10 p.m.
