LOS ANGELES -- Elmer Dessens' plane touched down at about 6 p.m. PT on Tuesday. He left Los Angeles International Airport a half-hour later only to find himself amidst Southern California traffic -- rush hour traffic.

Dessens knew there was a possibility he could pitch Tuesday night for his new team, the Dodgers. The Mexican-born pitcher had been told on the plane ride from Kansas City that there was a slight shortage in the Dodgers bullpen.

By the time he arrived at Dodger Stadium, it was already the second inning. He changed quickly in the clubhouse and four innings later, he was on the mound.

After 10 years in the Majors and six team changes, the right-handed hurler had never done something like that.

"I changed and I was off to the bullpen -- to do what I came to do and be called out from it," a relaxed Dessens said.

One day in the clubhouse and Dessens already looks comfortable. He chats with Willy Aybar across from his locker on Wednesday morning and is greeted in Spanish by the large group of Spanish-speaking media and organization employees. Of course, he's already used to the setting.

Dessens spent 2004 and 2005 with the Dodgers. He was a Dodgers starter last season before he was moved into the bullpen. The native of Hermosillo, Sonora posted a 2.56 ERA last season, which includes seven starts. In 2004, he went 1-0 with a 3.20 ERA in 12 games.

After the 2005 season, the Dodgers elected to exercise a $1.3 million option. Dessens declined. He filed for free agency and signed a two-year, $3.4 million contact with the Royals.

Despite that past, Dessens said he is happy to be in Southern California. Business is business, and as long as he is on a Major League team, Dessens said, he is happy.

The 35-year-old Dessens began his baseball career in Mexico. As a child, he played for the sake of playing, and not much else. It wasn't until he turned 20 that he decided he wanted to play baseball for a living.

Northern Mexico, where fields of dirt can easily outnumber fields of grass, has created a home for baseball. Six teams from the Mexican League make their home there, so it's not surprising Dessens chose baseball over another popular sport.

"The area where I lived -- in the northern part of the country -- baseball is watched a lot more than soccer," Dessens said. "Since we were little, everyone is basically playing baseball and that's what I liked."

He was scouted while playing in Mexico City for the Diablos Rojos (Red Devils) and signed with the Pirates in 1993. Since then, Dessens has played in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Phoenix and Kansas City.

This year, in Los Angeles, provides him another opportunity to become a starter. Dessens said he would love to become a starter but he considers his comment carefully when asked about the subject.

"That is up to them to decide," Dessens said. "Right now, I can't say anything. They will tell me what to do, and I will be happy with whatever I can do to help the team."

The Dodgers will pay the remainder of his $1.7 million contract this season and pick up next year's similar amount as well. He was 5-7 with a 4.50 ERA in 43 appearances with the Royals.

While the 6-foot, 220-pound righty left Kansas City in a hurry, his family remained for a few more days to pack. His wife, Lorenia, and two children will join him in about three days. Overall, they are glad to be back in a city which they are familiar with.

Therefore, it's not surprising Dessens was actually relaxed on the plane. He wasn't tired either; he pitched two scoreless innings on Tuesday.