Baldwin dealt to L.A. for Masaoka, two others

Associated Press

CLEVELAND — There's only one thing pitcher James Baldwin is worried about as he switches leagues.

"Now I've got to face Randy Johnson and those guys," said Baldwin, traded yesterday by the Chicago White Sox to Los Angeles. "So I guess I'll have some strikeouts under my belt."

The Dodgers, desperate for starting pitching, gave up left-hander Onan Masaoka, a 1995 Waiakea High graduate, right-hander Gary Majewski and outfielder Jeff Barry for Baldwin and cash.

Baldwin was informed of the deal about three hours before he was scheduled to start against the Cleveland Indians.

"It really hasn't hit me yet," Baldwin said. "It's kind of sad because I've been with the White Sox my whole career. I'll miss everything about Chicago, the fans, the front office, the pizza, everything."

With Darren Dreifort and Andy Ashby out for the season following surgeries, and Kevin Brown out until late August with elbow trouble, the Dodgers have had to piece together a starting rotation.

Baldwin will help immediately, and Dodgers manager Jim Tracy said the pitcher will start Sunday against the Colorado Rockies.

The 30-year-old Baldwin was 7-5 with a 4.61 ERA this season.

Masaoka, 23, went 8-4 with a 5.55 ERA in 31 games for the Dodgers' Triple-A Las Vegas affiliate. In two stints with the Dodgers prior to this season, he was 3-5 with one save.