Royals Deal Dotel to Atlanta

Atlanta, GA (Sports Network) - The Atlanta Braves continued to add pieces on Tuesday, as they acquired right-handed reliever Octavio Dotel from the Kansas City Royals for right-hander Kyle Davies. Atlanta, which enters play tonight 4 1/2 games back of the New York Mets in the National League East and 2 1/2 games back of Arizona in the wild card race, has also acquired power-hitting first baseman Mark Teixeira and lefty reliever Ron Mahay from Texas. Outside of Rangers closer Eric Gagne, Dotel was probably the best reliever on the market. In his first season with the Royals, Dotel recorded a 2-1 mark to go along with 11 saves and a 3.91 earned run average. Dotel, who now joins a bullpen that already boasts Bob Wickman and Rafael Soriano, has enjoyed a bit of a resurgence this season after spending much of 2006 recovering from Tommy John surgery. The 33-year-old hurler has a career record of 39-32 with 82 saves and a 3.75 ERA in nine seasons with the Mets, Houston Astros, Oakland As and Yankees and Royals. Davies, meanwhile, was 4-8 this season with a 5.76 ERA in 17 starts for the Braves, but lost five of his last six decisions. He hasnt pitched since July 16 against Cincinnati when he was lifted before recording an out, allowing two runs, two hits and walked three.