Dylan Bundy is switching coasts, as the Los Angeles Angels acquired the veteran right-hander in a trade with the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday.
The Orioles receive minor league right-handers Isaac Mattson, Zach Peek, Kyle Bradish and Kyle Brnovich as part of the deal.
Bundy, 27, was once a prized prospect of the Orioles, who made him the fourth overall pick in the 2011 draft. He went 10-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 2016, his first full season in the Baltimore rotation, striking out 104 in 109.2 innings.
But the right-hander has struggled of late, losing 16 games with a 5.45 ERA in 2018, and then going 7-14 with a 4.79 ERA this past season.
The Angels are hoping Bundy can turn things around out west. He has started at least 28 games in three straight years while averaging 168 innings.
Bundy will be a key rotation member for the Angels, whose starters last season had the majors’ second-worst ERA amid a mind-boggling string of injuries. Starting pitching is the prime focus of offseason improvement for the Angels, who expect to compete for the services of Orange County native Gerrit Cole and other elite free agents like Stephen Strasburg.
Bundy has a 7.64 ERA in four games (three starts) at Angel Stadium, his fourth-worst ERA of any ballpark (minimum three starts), according to ESPN Stats & Information research.
Bundy is due for a significant raise in arbitration after making $2.8 million last year. Angels owner Arte Moreno has said he is ready to increase his payroll.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.