LOS ANGELES (AP) The Arizona Diamondbacks traded Elmer Dessens
to Los Angeles on Thursday, the Dodgers' second deal for a pitcher
since finding out this week that reliever Darren Dreifort was
facing season-ending surgery.
The NL West-leading Dodgers sent minor league outfielder Jereme
Milons to the Diamondbacks for Dessens and cash considerations.
Dreifort was put on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to
Tuesday.
Dessens, 33, was 1-6 with a 4.75 ERA in 38 games this season,
including nine starts. The right-hander was much more effective in
relief, posting a 2.03 ERA with two saves in that role.
``He pitched great when he was pitching out of the bullpen,''
said Dodgers center fielder Steve Finley, traded from Arizona to
Los Angeles on July 31.
``Elmer got a lot of big outs. He was pitching in the seventh
and eighth innings, even closed out a couple of games. He said he'd
do whatever the team wanted him to do. He's got a really good heavy
sinker, a curveball, slider and split and a cutter,'' Finley said.
Dessens was in his second season with the Diamondbacks, who have
the worst record in the majors. He previously played for Pittsburgh
and Cincinnati, and is 39-49 lifetime in the big leagues.
``Elmer is a proven major league pitcher who has excelled this
season out of the bullpen, and we feel fortunate to be able to add
an arm into our mix,'' Dodgers general manager Paul DePodesta said.
``We expect him to be a valuable addition to our relief corps down
the stretch.''
Milons, 21, batted a combined .267 with 10 home runs and 55 RBIs
at Class A Vero Beach and Columbus.
On Wednesday, the Dodgers got lefty Scott Stewart from the
Cleveland Indians for a player to be named or cash. Stewart is
headed for Triple-A Las Vegas.
Los Angeles began this week with the best bullpen ERA in the
majors, but found itself searching for a setup man after Dreifort
partially tore a ligament in his right knee in Monday's 4-2 loss to
Florida.
Manager Jim Tracy said Dessens would enter into the mix with
Giovanni Carrara and rookie left-hander Yhency Brazoban as setup
men, depending on situations and matchups. Tracy said he will not
use Dessens as a spot starter.
``He was acquired to be a part of our bullpen,'' Tracy said.
``He has good numbers pitching out of the bullpen.''
Guillermo Mota spent the first four months of the season setting
up for record-setting Cy Young closer Eric Gagne. Mota was traded
to the Marlins with Paul Lo Duca and Juan Encarnacion for Brad
Penny and Hee Seop Choi on June 30, and Dreifort inherited Mota's
role.
Dreifort was 1-4 with a 4.44 ERA in a career-high 60
appearances. Dodgers team physician Dr. Frank Jobe strongly
suggested Dreifort have surgery that would take his rehabilitation
into next spring training.
This is the fourth straight season in which the right-hander has
been on the DL, and the sixth time in a career that began in 1994.
Most of Dreifort's stays on the DL have been long ones, including
the entire 1995 and 2002 seasons due to Tommy John surgery on his
elbow.
(Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)