KANSAS CITY -- The Royals said goodbye to one of their mainstay players on Sunday afternoon when they traded versatile infielder Nicky Lopez to the Braves for lefty reliever Taylor Hearn.
The club announced the move after Kansas City swept the Twins this weekend at Kauffman Stadium.
In 2021, Lopez became the first everyday Royals shortstop to hit .300. He’s shown his ability to move around the infield and has seven Outs Above Average this season, including four at third base.
In Hearn, the Royals see a reliever who could see success if things click, although there’s risk involved given this is now Hearn’s fifth organization since he was selected by Washington in the fifth round of the 2015 MLB Draft.