The Chicago Cubs have acquired catcher Martin Maldonado in a trade with Kansas City that sent left-hander Mike Montgomery to the Royals.
Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein announced the deal Monday night following Chicago's 6-3 loss to Cincinnati — adding that All-Star catcher Willson Contreras was going on the 10-day injured list with a strain to the arch area of his right foot.
The 32-year-old Maldonado, a Gold Glove winner in 2017 with the Angels, was batting .227 with six homers and 17 RBIs in 74 games for the struggling Royals this season. The Cubs will be the fifth major league team for the nine-year veteran, and Epstein expects him to provide a strong defensive presence behind the plate.
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Mike Montgomery collects himself on the mound after giving up a three-run home run to Pittsburgh Pirates' Adam Frazier during the fourth inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, July 2, 2019. (AP PhotoGene J. Puskar)
Montgomery, 30, is 1-2 with a 5.67 ERA in 20 relief appearances for the Cubs this year, and was 14-17 with three saves in 119 games for Chicago over four seasons. He is expected to get a chance to start with the Royals, who drafted him in 2008.
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Kansas City Royals catcher Martin Maldonado, left, completes the strike out of Detroit Tigers' Jeimer Candelario during the first inning of a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, July 12, 2019. (AP PhotoOrlin Wagner)
Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Ian Kennedy, left, shakes hands with catcher Martin Maldonado following the Royals' 8-5 win over the Detroit Tigers in a baseball game at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, July 12, 2019. (AP PhotoOrlin Wagner)