Dodgers ship Perez to Kansas City

LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers dealt pitcher Odalis Perez to the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday, nearly two weeks after saying they had no plans to trade the disgruntled left-hander.

The Dodgers also sent minor league right-handers Blake Johnson and Julio Pimental and cash considerations to the Royals for right-hander Elmer Dessens.

Perez, a former 15-game winner who spent much of the season in the bullpen due to ineffectiveness, accused the Dodgers of treating him like "trash" on July 13 after he gave up a game-winning home run to Albert Pujols in St. Louis.

He said then he didn't know why he had been demoted to the bullpen, adding, "If I've done something wrong, let me know, tell me. I want to know. I've been treated like trash."

Perez is in the second year of a three-year, $24 million contract and in his sixth season with the Dodgers. He had made just one start since mid-May, had been used only twice since June 28 and is 4-4 with a 6.83 ERA.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said the Royals wouldn't accept a straight-up trade for Perez, and demanded prospects and cash, too.

"It hasn't been easy," he said. "If it was easy, it would've happened a while ago."

-- AP