The Athletics bolstered their beleaguered rotation by acquiring right-hander Homer Bailey from the Kansas City Royals, Oakland announced Sunday.

Bailey, 33, has experienced something of a renaissance in 2019, posting his highest strikeout rate in more than half a decade to go along with a 7-6 record and 4.80 ERA -- his best number in that category since 2014. His numbers have also improved over the past month and a half, as he had a 3.48 ERA in June, going 3-1, and a 3.60 ERA in July.

Bailey had been set to pitch Sunday for Kansas City against the Detroit Tigers, but he was scratched from the game shortly before its scheduled start.

In exchange, the Royals received Kevin Merrell, a 23-year-old Double-A infielder hitting .246/.292/.339 and whose greatest attribute is his speed.