Royals get Perez, two Vero pitchers

KANSAS CITY -- Hoping to build a stronger pitching rotation, the Royals on Tuesday obtained left-hander Odalis Perez from the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for relief pitcher Elmer Dessens.

The Dodgers also sent Minor League pitchers Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental to the Royals, general manager Dayton Moore announced.

It's the second trade of a former All-Star pitcher in two days. On Monday, the Royals traded 2003 All-Star pitcher Mike MacDougal to the Chicago White Sox for two prospects. Perez was an All-Star for the Dodgers in 2002 when he had 15 wins, a 3.00 ERA and pitched two one-hitters.

This season, Perez has a 4-4 record with a 6.83 ERA in 20 games, including eight starts. Until this season, Perez was exclusively a starter for the Dodgers, going 41-36 in 112 starts.

Johnson, 21, and Pimental, 20, are right-handers who were pitching for Class A Vero Beach. Johnson had a 4-5 record in 20 games (18 starts); Pimental was 3-8 with two saves in 30 games (eight starts).

Dessens, who signed a two-year contract last winter, returns to the Dodgers, where he pitched in 2004-05. For the Royals this year, he had a 5-7 record and 4.50 ERA in 43 relief outings.

Until joining the Royals, Dessens had spent his entire career in the National League.

"At least I won't have to face the Detroit Tigers anymore," Dessens said in a light moment as he cleaned out his Kauffman Stadium locker.

Perez, 29, also has a contract through the 2007 season.

After breaking in with the Atlanta Braves in 1998, he was dealt to the Dodgers in 2002 with outfielder Brian Jordan for outfielder Gary Sheffield.