Washington Nationals acquire Kelvin Herrera from Kansas City Royals...

Washington’s Nationals have acquired reliever Kelvin Herrera from the Kansas City Royals in return for infielder Kelvin Gutierrez, Minor League outfielder Blake Perkins and Minor League right-handed pitcher Yohanse Morel.

HERE’S HOW THE NEXT BROKE:

According to a report by FRSBaseball’s Jon Heyman tonight, the Washington Nationals were on the verge of trading some prospects to the Kansas City Royals in return for 28-year-old reliever Kelvin Herrera, who currently sports a 1.05 ERA and a 2.62 FIP, with two walks (0.70 BB/9), 22 Ks (7.71 K/9), and a .204/.223/.283 line against in 25 ²⁄₃ IP, earning 14 saves so far this season for the Royals.

Washington Post writer Chelseas Janes has since reported that a source says that a deal is in place, though the return going to the Royals is not yet available.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported earlier this week that even before Stephen Strasburg and Brandon Kintzler went on the DL with injuries, the Nats were in the pitching market in search of a starter and reliever.

Yahoo!Sports.com’s Jeff Passan too has since confirmed that the deal is done.

Herrera gives the Nationals another high-end arm at the back of their bullpen to go along with Ryan Madson and Sean Doolittle, who were acquired in the lead-up to last July’s non-waiver deadline.

What, if anything it says about the state of Kintzler’s injured forearm (flexor strain) is unclear, but GM Mike Rizzo has apparently landed a big arm to bolster the relief corps in the nation’s capital, and if Kintzler comes back healthy, as expected, the Nationals have some big late-inning arms in the bullpen.

UPDATE: It’s official - Nationals acquire 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.