Pittsburgh Pirates Dessens was signed as an amateur
free agent by the
Pittsburgh Pirates in . He made his major league debut with the Pirates in and pitched with them until .
Yomiuri Giants The Pirates released him at the end of
spring training in . He pitched that season for the
Yomiuri Giants of the
Nippon Professional Baseball League in Japan.
Cincinnati Reds Dessens returned to the major leagues in with the
Cincinnati Reds and pitched for them for three seasons.
Arizona Diamondbacks During the 2002–03 offseason, Dessens was involved in a four-team trade that sent him to the
Arizona Diamondbacks.
Los Angeles Dodgers Dessens stayed with the Diamondbacks until August , when the
Los Angeles Dodgers acquired him for a minor leaguer to bolster their bullpen for the stretch run. That October, Dessens pitched in the postseason for the first and, to date, last time, appearing in one game during the Dodgers'
Division Series loss to the
St. Louis Cardinals. Dessens pitched one more season for the Dodgers, then became a free agent in the offseason.
Kansas City Royals Prior to the 2006 season, Dessens signed with the
Kansas City Royals.
Second Stint with Dodgers In July, the Dodgers reacquired Dessens from the Royals for pitcher
Odalis Pérez and two minor leaguers, again to bolster their bullpen. While the Dodgers did win the
wild card that season, Dessens did not appear as the Dodgers were swept in the
Division Series to the
New York Mets.
Milwaukee Brewers In March 2007, Dessens was traded from the Dodgers to the
Milwaukee Brewers for reserve
outfielder Brady Clark and cash.
Colorado Rockies In early August he was released by the Brewers, but a few days later he signed a minor league deal with the
Colorado Rockies. He started 5 games for the Rockies, going 1–1 with a 7.58
ERA. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
Second Stint with Pirates In January 2008, Dessens signed a minor league contract with the
Pittsburgh Pirates, but was released during
spring training. After the season, Dessens again became a free agent.
New York Mets In February , Dessens signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets. Dessens made his Mets debut on June 23, 2009, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was designated for assignment on July 30. He had his contract purchased on August 6, 2009, when
Jon Niese was placed on the 60-day
disabled list. In December 2009, Dessens signed a minor league contract with the New York Mets for the 2010 season.
San Francisco Giants On February 8, 2011, it was reported that Dessens had signed a minor league deal with the
San Francisco Giants that included an invitation to spring training. However, on February 14, it was reported that the deal fell through.
Diablos Rojos del México (second stint) On March 17, 2011, Dessens signed with the
Diablos Rojos del México of the
Mexican League. He became a free agent following the season. In 25 games (3 starts) 45.1 innings he struggled going 4–0 with a 5.16 ERA with 34 strikeouts. ==Post Playing==