The Royals (32-41) traded Bailey to the Oakland Athletics (52-41) on Sunday, according to multiple reports, for minor league infielder Kevin Merell. Through Saturday, the A’s had a half game lead over the Cleveland Indians in the race for the second American League wild-card.
Bailey was 7-6 with a 4.80 ERA in 18 starts for the Royals but was 3-1 with a 3.48 ERA in six June starts and allowed two earned runs in five innings in his first July start. He was scheduled to start Sunday but was scratched when the trade was made.
» ASK HAL: Will Reds be buyers or sellers at trade deadine?
Bailey spent the first 12 years of his career with the Reds. He was 74-83 with a 4.58 ERA. In 20 starts last season, he was 1-14 with a 6.09 ERA.
The Reds traded Bailey to the Los Angeles Dodgers in December in the deal that brought Yasiel Puig, Kyle Farmer and Alex Wood to the Reds. The Dodgers released Bailey the next day, though they are paying him $22.45 million in salary this season, and he signed with the Royals in February.
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