Seeking to add depth to their starting rotation, the Royals on Friday traded outfielder Jarrod Dyson to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for right-handed pitcher Nate Karns.
The deal comes close to a month after the Royals acquired outfielder Jorge Soler from the Chicago Cubs for Wade Davis. The move created a surplus of outfielders, and the Royals sought help for their thin rotation.
Karns, 29, posted a 5.15 ERA with 101 strikeouts in 941/3 innings in 2016, appearing as a starter and reliever. He missed the final two months of the season while battling a lower-back strain. Karns isn't eligible for arbitration until 2018 and free agency until 2021.
