The Washington Nationals acquired closer Kelvin Herrera from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for infielder Kelvin Gutierrez, Minor League outfielder Blake Perkins and Minor League right-handed pitcher Yohanse Morel on Monday. Gutierrez is the Nationals' No. 10-ranked prospect, and Perkins is at No. 11, according to MLB Pipeline.Herrera, 28, has pitched to a 1.05 ERA (3 ER/25.2 IP) while converting 14 saves in 27 games for the Kansas City Royals in 2018. He has struck out 22 batters while issuing just two walks. Herrera did not issue his first walk until his 27th appearance, June 12 vs. Cincinnati. He has posted a 0.82 WHIP and opposing batters are hitting just .207 with a .283 slugging percentage (1 double, 2 home runs) against him. 
A two-time American League All-Star (2015, 2016) and member of the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, Herrera entered Monday ranked among American League relievers in WHIP (2nd, 0.82), ERA (1st, 1.05), opp. OBP (2nd, .223), walks per 9.0 IP (2nd, 0.70), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5th, 11.00) and saves (T8th, 14).Herrera has appeared in 22 Postseason games, going 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA (4 ER/28.2 IP) and 38 strikeouts without allowing a home run along the way. He posted a 0.66 ERA (1 ER/13.2 IP) while striking out 22 batters in 11 games as the Royals went on to win the 2015 World Series. His 22 strikeouts were the second-highest by a relief pitcher in Postseason history, trailing only Francisco Rodriguez, who struck out 28 batters in 2002.In eight Major League seasons, Herrera is 23-27 with 57 saves and a 2.75 ERA in 442 games out of Kansas City's bullpen. He ranked eighth in the American League with a career-high 26 saves in 2017. Since his first full season in the Major Leagues in 2012, Herrera has made at least 60 appearances in five of six seasons entering the 2018 campaign.A native of Tenares, Dominican Republic, Herrera was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent, Dec. 18, 2006.
A two-time American League All-Star (2015, 2016) and member of the 2015 World Series Champion Kansas City Royals, Herrera entered Monday ranked among American League relievers in WHIP (2nd, 0.82), ERA (1st, 1.05), opp. OBP (2nd, .223), walks per 9.0 IP (2nd, 0.70), strikeout-to-walk ratio (5th, 11.00) and saves (T8th, 14).Herrera has appeared in 22 Postseason games, going 2-0 with a 1.26 ERA (4 ER/28.2 IP) and 38 strikeouts without allowing a home run along the way. He posted a 0.66 ERA (1 ER/13.2 IP) while striking out 22 batters in 11 games as the Royals went on to win the 2015 World Series. His 22 strikeouts were the second-highest by a relief pitcher in Postseason history, trailing only Francisco Rodriguez, who struck out 28 batters in 2002.In eight Major League seasons, Herrera is 23-27 with 57 saves and a 2.75 ERA in 442 games out of Kansas City's bullpen. He ranked eighth in the American League with a career-high 26 saves in 2017. Since his first full season in the Major Leagues in 2012, Herrera has made at least 60 appearances in five of six seasons entering the 2018 campaign.A native of Tenares, Dominican Republic, Herrera was signed by the Royals as a non-drafted free agent, Dec. 18, 2006.
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