LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Dodgers have traded reliever Sergio Romo to the Tampa Bay Rays in a deal between playoff contenders.

The NL West-leading Dodgers sent Romo and to the Rays for a player to be named or cash. As part of the deal, Los Angeles will pay Tampa Bay $414,934 on Sept. 30 to cover a portion of the $1,163,934 remaining in the pitcher's $3 million salary, leaving the Rays to pay $749,000.

Romo's trade was announced after Tampa Bay, which holds an AL wild-card spot, lost to Texas on Saturday night.

Romo was designated for assignment by the Dodgers on Thursday. The 34-year-old righty was 1-1 with a 6.12 ERA in 30 appearances for Los Angeles.

Romo spent his first nine seasons with San Francisco before signing with the Dodgers this year. He is 3-1 with four saves and a 3.09 ERA in 27 post-season games, including six scoreless innings in helping the Giants win three World Series championships.