KANSAS CITY -- The Royals on Thursday traded right-hander Brooks Pounders to the Angels for Minor League right-hander Jared Ruxer.
The move opens up a spot on the Royals' 40-man roster, meaning they can participate in the Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 8. The 40-man now is at 39.
Pounders, 26, had a 9.24 ERA in 13 games for the Royals last year and gave up six home runs in 12 2/3 innings.
Ruxer was a 12th-round pick by the Angels in 2014 out of Louisville.
Ruxer had a 3.08 combined ERA in Class A and Class A Advanced last year with 99 strikeouts in 111 innings.