Rays/MLB

L.A. deals irked pitcher to K.C.

By TIMES WIRES
Published July 26, 2006

LOS ANGELES - The Dodgers sent pitcher Odalis Perez to the Royals on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after saying they didn't plan to trade the disgruntled left-hander.

They also sent minor-league right-handers Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental and cash for right-handed reliever Elmer Dessens.

Perez won 15 games in 2002 and 12 in 2003 but was 7-8 in an injury-plagued 2005. He spent much of this season, the second of a three-year, $24-million deal, in the bullpen due to ineffectiveness and accused the Dodgers of treating him like "trash" on July 13 after he gave up a winning home run.

Perez, 4-4 with a 6.83 ERA, had made one start since mid May and two appearances since June 28. Dessens, 35, is 5-7 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA in 43 games.

BRAVES: Centerfielder Andruw Jones (sore back) and third baseman Chipper Jones (strained oblique) did not start for the third consecutive game. Before the game, manager Bobby Cox said Andruw Jones also will sit out today while Chipper Jones could be available as a pinch-hitter. But Andruw Jones struck out as a pinch-hitter Tuesday.

BREWERS: Utilityman To-ny Graffanino was acquired from Kansas City for left-hander Jorge De La Rosa. Graffanino, 34, hitting .268 with five homers and 32 RBIs, can play all four infield positions. De La Rosa, 25, 2-2 with an 8.60 ERA in 18 games, has been on the DL since June 10 with a blister on his left middle finger but pitched at Triple A on Monday.

NATIONALS: Second baseman Jose Vidro went on the disabled list with a strained left hamstring sustained July 18. He is hitting .300 with six homers and 33 RBIs in 90 games.

- TIMES WIRES

[Last modified July 26, 2006, 06:10:02]