David Wells is back in the pennant race with a new team: the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Wells and the Dodgers agreed to a contract Thursday and the big lefty plans to make his first start for Los Angeles on Sunday night against the Mets in New York.

The 44-year-old Wells was designated for assignment by his hometown San Diego Padres on Aug. 9 and placed on release waivers four days later. He cleared waivers last Thursday and became a free agent.

The Dodgers will be his ninth team in a 21-year major league career.

"David's excited to have an opportunity to continue his career with a team that has such a storied history," said Wells' agent, Gregg Clifton. "He's excited to help any way he can to get the Dodgers back to the playoffs."

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said through team spokesman Josh Rawitch that the club had nothing to announce Thursday night.

Wells, nicknamed Boomer, struggled in his last four starts with San Diego, going 0-3 with a 14.33 ERA. Overall, he was 5-8 with a 5.54 ERA this season.

Padres general manager Kevin Towers said the club gave Wells the option of retiring or being designated for assignment.

The outspoken Wells plans to join the Dodgers today in New York, where he was once a fan favorite with the Yankees, and start Sunday night against the NL East-leading Mets in a nationally televised game, Clifton said.

Wells would replace right-hander Brett Tomko in Los Angeles' rotation. The Dodgers have had to go with Tomko and Mark Hendrickson, among others, as starters because of injuries to Jason Schmidt, Randy Wolf and Hong-Chih Kuo. Tomko is 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA and Hendrickson is 4-7 with a 5.09 ERA.

Wells will get a prorated salary with the Dodgers plus a per-start incentive that is almost identical to the incentive-based deal he had with the Padres.

Wells' contract with the Padres called for him to make $176,470 per start from Nos. 11 to 27. He made 22 starts with San Diego.

Young may miss only one start for Padres: All-Star Chris Young had his back checked out in San Diego and the team is hopeful he'll miss only one start.

Team doctors reported inflammation and "some hot spots that indicate activity in his lower back," Black said.

Monroe traded to Cubs: Craig Monroe quickly found himself back in a pennant race when the Detroit Tigers traded the slumping outfielder and cash to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later.

The Tigers designated Monroe for assignment last Friday and replaced him with highly touted prospect Cameron Maybin.

Boston sends Lester to minors, promotes Lopez: The Boston Red Sox sent left-hander Jon Lester to Double-A Portland and recalled lefty reliever Javier Lopez from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Lester, who underwent chemotherapy treatments for lymphoma during the offseason, is 2-0 with a 5.67 ERA in six starts since Boston called him up from Pawtucket on July 23. Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Lester will be back with the club next month and start Sept. 2.

Otsuka still not likely to pitch again in '07: Texas Rangers reliever Akinori Otsuka likely won't pitch again this season even after three doctors who examined his sore right elbow found no structural damage.

General manager Jon Daniels said night that Otsuka would be shut down for up to three weeks before the right-hander tries to throw again.