The Royals cleared space on their 40-man roster on Thursday, sending right-hander Brooks Pounders to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for minor league pitcher Jared Ruxer.
The trade came on the eve of Friday’s deadline to tender contracts for arbitration-eligible players. It also offers flexibility before next week’s winter meetings, which begin Monday in National Harbor, Md.
Pounders, 25, made his major-league debut on July 5, posting a 9.24 ERA in 12 2/3 innings with the Royals in 2016. He also recorded a 3.14 ERA in 80 1/3 innings while starting and relieving for Class AAA Omaha.