Royals acquire infielder Danny Valencia from Baltimore for David Lough

The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has acquired infielder Danny Valencia from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for outfielder David Lough.

Valencia, 29, split 117 games between Baltimore and Triple-A Norfolk last season, being recalled to the Major Leagues on May 19. He hit .304 in 52 games for the Orioles with 14 doubles, eight homers and 23 RBI. Valencia's .553 slugging percentage was the fifth-highest in the American League among players with at least 150 at bats. The right-handed hitting infielder batted .371 (36-for-97) with 14 doubles and four homers against left-handed pitching. He also hit .350 (35-for-100) with a .580 slugging percentage after the All-Star break.

Valencia has spent parts of four seasons in the Major Leagues with Minnesota (2010-12), Boston (2012) and Baltimore (2013). He's a career .263 hitter with 66 doubles, five triples, 33 homers and 156 RBI in 335 games. The fifth-year infielder has hit .295 (18-for-61) in his career at Kauffman Stadium with five doubles, a homer and 12 RBI.

Lough, 27, hit .286 with 17 doubles, five homers and 33 RBI in 96 games for the Royals last season.