The Kansas City Royals have traded catcher Freddy Fermin to the San Diego Padres in exchange for two pitchers.

Fermin, 30, had batted .255 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in 67 games with the Royals this season. He was KC’s top backup catcher behind team captain Salvador Perez and recently emerged as a dependable bat off the bench.

ESPN insider Jeff Passan was first to report the trade on Thursday afternoon. The Royals received right-handed pitchers Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek in the deal.

The Royals were looking to add to their overall roster right up to Thursday’s MLB trade deadline, set for 5 p.m. They had three catchers on the roster, in Perez, Fermin and Luke Maile. Now, with Fermin off to San Diego, the Royals have an open roster spot.

Fermin was well respected in the Royal

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