Nationals acquire Alcides Escobar from Royals

The Kansas City Royals traded veteran shortstop Alcides Escobar to the Washington Nationals for cash considerations, the Nats announced.

Escobar, 34, hasn't played in the big leagues since 2018. He signed a minor-league contract with the Royals on May 4. He was hitting .274 for Triple-A Omaha this year after playing in Japan last season.

The one-time All-Star played an integral part in Kansas City's back-to-back World Series runs in 2014 and 2015, including winning the 2015 ALCS MVP thanks to a .478/.481/.652 slash line against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Escobar, who is traveling to Washington to join the Nationals, will likely take over the bench role previously occupied by infielder Jordy Mercer. Washington placed Mercer on the injured list Friday with a right quad strain.