Kansas City Royals trade RHP Mike Mayers to the White Sox. Could a similar move be next?

The Kansas City Royals have traded pitcher Mike Mayers to the Chicago White Sox for cash considerations.

Mayers, who made two starts this season, went 1-2 with a 6.15 ERA. He served in a variety of roles, including a bulk reliever during bullpen games.

In the bulk reliever role, Mayers helped KC take a perfect game into the eighth against the St. Louis Cardinals on May 29. He pitched six scoreless innings and allowed two hits.

However, Mayers faltered in his last three appearances. He surrendered 16 earned runs and recorded three strikeouts. In June, he posted an 11.08 ERA as opponents hit .400 against him.

The Royals designated Mayers for assignment on June 18. He cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Omaha two days later. Mayers now will head to his fourth MLB team. He spent time with the Cardinals and the Los Angeles Angels prior to joining the Royals.

The move comes as the Royals reshuffle their bullpen.

KC has already traded Aroldis Chapman to the Texas Rangers. The Royals also designated reliever Amir Garrett for assignment on July 9. Garrett owned a 3.33 ERA in 27 appearances this season.

Under the MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement, the Royals must either trade Garrett or place him on irrevocable outright waivers within seven days of designating him for assignment.

The Royals continue to find playing time for younger prospects as part of what owner John Sherman has called “a real year of evaluation.” That has come at the expense of veterans on the roster. In recent weeks, the Royals released veterans Hunter Dozier, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Garrett.

As a result, the Royals promoted relievers such as Austin Cox and Jackson Kowar for a brief evaluation stint. Both are back in Triple-A Omaha currently. However, fellow reliever Jonathan Heasley has earned a role in the bullpen heading into the second-half of the 2023 season.

“None of those decisions are easy,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said of Garrett’s release. “We wrestled with it and ultimately decided that is the way we needed to go right now.”