The Brewers added to their bullpen on Thursday, acquiring right-hander Taylor Clarke from the Royals in exchange for a pair of Minor Leaguers.
Clarke already is under contract for 2024 after avoiding arbitration via a $1.25 million deal with Kansas City earlier this offseason. The 30-year-old brings Milwaukee's 40-man roster to 39 players, adding a pitcher with experience in parts of five Major League seasons with the D-backs and Royals.
Last season with Kansas City, Clarke logged a 5.95 ERA in 58 appearances (two starts), in which he recorded 65 strikeouts against 24 walks in 59 innings. Along the way, he limited righties to a .242 average (.698 OPS) and ranked in the 98th percentile in overall chase rate (34.9 percent), per Statcast.
Over his career in the Majors, Clarke has turned in a 5.03 ERA over 183 games (22 starts). He has spent the past three years primarily as a reliever, leaning on a repertoire featuring a slider, fastball and changeup. In 2023, Clarke added a sweeper to his pitch arsenal.
To complete the trade, the Brewers sent righty Ryan Brady and infielder Cam Devanney to Kansas City.