The Baltimore Orioles acquired right-hander Jonathan Heasley from the Kansas City Royals on Monday in exchange for rookie-ball right-hander Cesar Espinal, according to sources. Heasley, 26, made the move to a full-time relief role in the Royals organization this past season. He appeared 12 times out of the bullpen for Kansas City and wasn't very effective, though, allowing 13 runs (12 earned) on 17 hits (five home runs) while walking two and striking out nine in 15 innings pitched. Heasley was 2-5 with a 6.85 ERA and 1.62 WHIP while walking 45 and striking out 88 in 32 appearances (15 starts) at Triple-A Omaha. He will operate as right-handed relief depth for the Orioles entering the 2024 campaign.

The Kansas City Royals will be calling up right-handed pitcher Jon Heasley from Triple-A to start Thursday's game against the Texas Rangers. The 25-year-old is ranked as the team's No. 9 overall prospect by MLB Pipeline. He made his first three starts in the majors last year and went 1-1 with a 4.91 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while recording just six strikeouts over 14.2 innings. He had a strong season at Double-A in 2021, pitching to a 3.33 ERA and 1.22 WHIP while averaging 10.3 K/9. This year at Triple-A, he has an ugly 4.44 ERA but his WHIP (0.95) and K/9 (10.3) are certainly promising.

Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Jon Heasley was called up from Double-A to make his MLB debut against the Seattle Mariners on Friday. He went on to pitch four innings and allow six hits, no walks and four earned runs while striking out two. Brady Singer was initially slated to start Friday's game, but he was placed on the injured list due to undisclosed reasons prior to the game. Heasley has had a solid year at Double-A, pitching to a 3.12 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP while averaging 10.3 K/9 over 105.1 innings. The 24-year-old is ranked as the team's 14th overall prospect by MLB.com. There's no word yet as to whether Heasley will make another start with the team or if he'll be sent back to the minors.