Royals make a pair of transactions

KANSAS CITY, MO (August 27, 2013) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have acquired minor league pitcher Clayton Mortensen from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for outfielder Quintin Berry. In addition, the Royals also agreed to terms with first baseman Carlos Pena on a minor league contract. Both Mortensen and Pena will be assigned to Triple-A Omaha. 

Mortensen, 28, a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher, has appeared in 24 games with Boston this season, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.34 ERA in 30.1 innings. He's held right-handed hitters to a .211 batting average (12-for-57). He was optioned to Triple-A in late June and has a 3-0 record with a 2.47 ERA in 14 appearances for the Pawtucket Red Sox. The right-handed reliever has pitched in 74 big league games in his career, going 6-11 with a 4.68 ERA with 112 strikeouts in 167.1 innings.

Pena, 35, a left-handed hitting first baseman, played in 85 games for the Houston Astros this season, before being released on July 31. He was hitting .209 with 8 homers and 25 RBI for Houston. The veteran first baseman has played with seven organizations in his 12-year career in which he's hit .233 with 285 career homers and 816 RBI. His best season came in 2007 with the Rays, when he hit .282 with 46 homers and 121 RBI in 148 games.

Berry, 28, was claimed by the Royals off waivers from Detroit in June. He's hit .193 with 28 stolen bases in 311 at bats in Triple-A between Omaha and Toledo.

For more information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.