DETROIT (AP) — The Detroit Tigers have acquired third baseman Wilson Betemit from the Kansas City Royals for two minor leaguers.
The 29-year-old Betemit has hit .281 with three home runs and 27 RBIs in 57 games with the Royals this year. The Tigers have been hoping third baseman Brandon Inge would break out of his lengthy slump, but he’s hitting .177 going into Wednesday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics.
Detroit announced the trade with the Royals just over an hour before the first pitch Wednesday.
Kansas City receives left-hander Antonio Cruz and catcher Julio Rodriguez. The 19-year-old Cruz has gone 2-6 with a 3.11 ERA with Class A West Michigan in 2011.
The 21-year-old Rodriguez has hit .283 at Class A Lakeland.
