The Royals have acquired pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek from the Padres for catcher Freddy Fermin, according to ESPN reporter Jeff Passan.
Bergert was ranked the #7 prospect in the Padres farm system before the season and has had a fantastic rookie year. He has appeared in 11 games, seven of them starts, and posted a 2.78 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 35 2⁄3 innings, although with 18 walks. He has a 4.03 ERA in 11 starts at Triple-A this year. Bergert attended West Virginia where he underwent Tommy John surgery in 2021.