Dodgers acquire Angel Berroa from Royals

They got the former A.L. Rookie of the Year, who has apparently been in the minors since last year, for minor-leaguer Juan Rivera. Berroa apparently will fill a utility infield role for the Dodgers, which might mean he plays SS every day until Furcal comes back. He is making $4.75 million in this final season of a four-year, $11 million deal he signed with the Royals four years ago, plus a $500,000 buyout of a $5.5 million option for next season, but you can bet the Royals are picking up almost all of that just to get rid of him. Berroa won the AL ROY in 2003, when he hit .287 with 17 homers, 73 RBI and 21 steals. This year, he was hitting .291 with 10 HR and 27 RBI for Triple-A Omaha. No corresponding move so far ,either for the 25-man or 40-man. ... By the way, Furcal will go to San Diego with the team next week to work out, then probably do a rehab while the team is in Detroit next weekend. That means his tentative target for a return is the Dodgers' series in Cincinnati, which begins a week from Tuesday.