Dodgers send reliever Romo to Tampa Bay

The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded reliever Sergio Romo to the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal between playoff contenders. The National League West-leading Dodgers sent Romo to the Rays for a player to be named or cash. As part of the deal, Los Angeles will pay Tampa Bay US$414,934 on Sept. 30 to cover a portion of the US$1,163,934 remaining in the pitcher’s US$3-million salary, leaving the Rays to pay US$749,000. Romo was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday. The 34-year-old righty was 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in 30 appearances for Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw left his start against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday after two innings because of right low back tightness. The all-star left-hander struck out two and walked one on 21 pitches. Kershaw is 15-2 with a 2.07 ERA and had a 14-start unbeaten streak coming into the game. He was sidelined for two and a half months last year with a herniated disk in his back.