The Kansas City Royals announced Friday they have traded catcher Drew Butera to the Colorado Rockies for minor league left-handed pitcher Jerry Vasto. Vasto has been subsequently optioned to Omaha (AAA). The Royals have also recalled catcher Cam Gallagher from Omaha and reinstated outfielder Brian Goodwin from the disabled list.
Vasto, 26, pitched the majority of the year with Colorado’s Triple-A affiliate, Albuquerque, going 2-1 with a 3.16 ERA (13 ER in 37.0 IP) in 37 relief appearances. He held the opposition to a .232 average (32-for-138), which included holding righties to a .209 average (18-for-86). The lefty posted a 1.52 ERA (4 ER in 23.2 IP) through his first 23 appearances of the season. He made his big league debut on June 10, pitching 2/3 inning vs. Arizona. He has been named a minor league All-Star twice (2015, 2016) and was originally selected by the Rockies in the 24th round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft.
Butera joined the Royals in 2016 and is a career .201 hitter during his nine years in the big leagues.