The Kansas City Royals have traded backup catcher Freddy Fermin to the San Diego Padres in exchange for right-handed pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek.

Fermin has played in 251 games with the Royals since he was called up in 2022, owning a career .268 batting average. Fermin has established himself as one of the best defensive catchers in baseball, nabbing a league-high 44.7 percent of base-stealers in 2024.

The Royals received two pitchers from San Diego to help strengthen a pitching staff that’s dealt with numerous injuries. Ryan Bergert was San Diego’s 7th ranked prospect and has a 2.78 ERA in 35.2 innings at the Major League level. Stephen Kolek has made 14 starts for the Padres this season, owning a 4.18 ERA in 79.2 innings.

The two will likely be inserted to a starting rotation that’s already lost several key arms like Kris Bubic, who is out for the remainder of the season. Cole Ragans and Michael Lorenzen are also on the injured list, with the two expected to return in August.