The Kansas City Royals have traded right-hander Homer Bailey to the Athletics, Oakland announced Sunday.
This season, Bailey is 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA — his best since 2014. His numbers have improved over the past month and a half, as he had a 3.48 ERA in June, going 3-1, and a 3.60 ERA in July.
Bailey had been set to pitch Sunday for Kansas City against the Detroit Tigers, but he was scratched from the game about 20 minutes before its scheduled start.
The 33-year-old has a 4.58 career ERA with the Cincinnati Reds and Royals. He was making the big league minimum of $555,000 this season, but that was offset against the $23 million he was still owed by the Los Angeles Dodgers following an offseason trade and subsequent release.
The Royals are receiving minor league infielder Kevin Merrell in return. Merrell was hitting .246 with two home runs and 34 RBIs for Double-A Midland this season.