Skip to content

Royals trade Homer Bailey to Athletics

Reed Hoffmann / Getty Images Sport / Getty

The Oakland Athletics acquired right-handed starter Homer Bailey from the Kansas City Royals on Sunday in exchange for minor-league infielder Kevin Merrell, the club announced.

Bailey, 33, went 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA across 18 starts during his brief stint in Kansas City. He was initially slated to start Sunday's game but was a late scratch against the Detroit Tigers.

Manager Bob Melvin said Bailey will make his Oakland debut on Wednesday against Seattle, according to Jessica Kleinschmidt of NBC Sports Bay Area.

The 2004 first-round pick signed with the Royals in February after the Dodgers released him earlier in the offseason. He was one of the pieces that the Cincinnati Reds sent to Los Angeles in exchange for Yasiel Puig, Alex Wood, Matt Kemp, and Kyle Farmer.

The Athletics will be on the hook for the $250,000 remaining on Bailey's salary, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan.

Bailey threw two no-hitters with Cincinnati and was a reliable arm before his career was derailed by injuries.

He joins a rotation that currently features Mike Fiers, Chris Bassitt, Brett Anderson, and Daniel Mengden. The club could also see Sean Manaea and Jharel Cotton return from injury soon. Additionally, prospects A.J. Puk and Jesus Luzardo are recovering from ailments and may make their major-league debuts during the second half of the season.

The Athletics sit in second place in the American League West with a 52-41 record entering Sunday. Additionally, Oakland occupies the American League's second wild-card spot, with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers close behind.

Merrell, 23, was hitting .246/.292/.339 with two home runs and 13 stolen bases at Double-A this season.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox