Rockies, Royals swap pitchers

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 20 (UPI) -- The Colorado Rockies traded Opening Day starter Jeremy Guthrie to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Jonathan Sanchez, the teams said Friday.

Guthrie, a 33-year-old right-hander, drew the Opening Day assignment in his debut for the Rockies but has gone 3-9 with a 6.35 earned run average this year. For his nine-year career, Guthrie is 50-74 with a 4.37 ERA.

Sanchez, a 29-year-old left-hander spent his first six seasons with the San Francisco Giants, where he threw a no-hitter in 2009. This year was his first in Kansas City and he was 1-6 with a 7.76 ERA. He's 39-52 with a 4.50 ERA in his career.