The Colorado Rockies traded right-handed pitcher Jeremy Guthrie to Kansas City on Friday in exchange for Jonathan Sanchez, the struggling lefty starter who was designated for assignment this week by the Royals.
The 29-year-old Sanchez is 1-6 with a 7.76 ERA in 12 starts this season. A seven-year major league veteran, he is 39-52 with a 4.50 ERA, 420 walks and 772 strikeouts in 186 games (130 starts).
Sanchez threw a no-hitter against San Diego in 2009 and the Royals traded away Melky Cabrera to get him last November in what turned out to be one of the worst trades in team history. Sanchez was winless in his final 11 starts with Kansas City.
The 33-year-old Guthrie is 3-9 with a 6.35 ERA in 19 games this year. In 169 starts with three teams since 2004, he is 50-74 with a 4.37 ERA, 335 walks and 671 strikeouts.