Hong-Chih Kuo - Fantasy News & Updates
Hong-Chih Kuo - Fantasy News & Updates
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Kuo's return comes nearly three months after being placed on the disabled list with another in his endless series of left elbow injuries that had many in the organization fearing for his career. "It's up to me to screw him up," Dodgers manager Joe Torre said sarcastically, knowing that Kuo is a risk with every pitch. Torre said a healthy Kuo could change the dynamics of his bullpen, which has lost Ronald Belisario and Cory Wade to injuries, although Wade is already on a rehab assignment and Belisario might join him before the week is over. "He can be an eighth-inning piece," Torre said of Kuo. "We have no problem with him responsibility-wise.
Earlier this week, Kuo successfully threw on back-to-back days for the first time this year. At the time, Dodgers manager Joe Torre said that Kuo's ability to perform on consecutive days was a key consideration in deciding when Kuo would be ready to rejoin the team. And before Friday's game against the Florida Marlins, Torre said that if Kuo's outing goes well, then the left-hander should be called up soon. "The chances are we'll make a plan for this trip," Torre said.
Kuo pitched a scoreless inning at Class A Inland Empire on Tuesday night. The outing completed Kuo's first set of back-to-back appearances this year. "He's champing at the bit [to get back]," manager Joe Torre said. "He's going to pitch again Friday, I think." Torre said that if Friday's outing goes well, then Kuo has a realistic chance to be back with the club some time next week.
"If he throws well, he'll get two days off and pitch again [July 24], then we'll see," manager Joe Torre said Tuesday. "He'll probably go on the next trip." Meaning, Kuo could be activated before the July 31 Trade Deadline.
Kuo pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance Saturday for Single-A Inland Empire and Sunday said he felt fine. Kuo was placed on the disabled list on May 2 with a left-elbow strain after being unable to make catchable throws while warming up for a May 1 game. A healthy Kuo, last year's MLB.com Setup Man of the Year, would be a huge addition to the Dodgers 'pen, especially with the uncertain status of closer Jonathan Broxton, who is dealing with a lingering nerve problem in his right big toe.
Kuo had a 6.75 ERA and four strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings before landing on the DL with an elbow injury April 20. The left-hander has suffered several setbacks already, so the Dodgers have not yet set a concrete timetable for his return.
The Dodgers aren't counting on Kuo returning, but with the recent elbow injury to workhorse rookie Ronald Belisario, it sure would be nice if he did. Kuo's future has been in serious doubt since he was put on the disabled list April 30 with another in an endless series of elbow injuries. Stay tuned.
After struggling while trying to warm up in the bullpen May 1, including throwing two pitches over the bullpen fence and onto the field, Kuo was put on the DL. Dodgers manager Joe Torre said Kuo will likely take a week off from throwing before rebuilding strength in his elbow, which has twice undergone Tommy John ligament reconstruction surgery. Kuo, who was the team's top setup man last season with a 2.14 ERA, struggled with his control this season by allowing four runs over 5 1/3 innings while walking four.
The pitching -- specifically the bullpen -- is generally young and unproven. There is no true ace of the rotation and Wolf is being asked to replace workhorse Lowe. The loss of Lowe, Saito, Joe Beimel, Chan Ho Park and Scott Proctor means the club must replace roughly 400 quality innings, although the addition of Ohman should help. It remains to be seen whether McDonald can fend off Claudio Vargas and Eric Milton for the fifth-starter job. Broxton has the stuff ideally suited for the closer role. The good news is a capable offense will help the rotation rack up plenty of wins in the NL West.
Kuo, whose elbow has undergone four operations, was eased into action this spring because of tenderness. He pitched a scoreless inning in a "B" game earlier in the week and came back Thursday to face four batters. His slider was effective, but he was annoyed with his mechanics, saying he was flying open on his fastballs. "My fastball was cutting, I was turning too quick," he said. "I just need work on it. My arm feels great. It's fine. Everything feels good."
With Hong-Chih Kuo emerging as the top left-hander in the Dodgers bullpen last year, Beimel shifted into a secondary role, and with rookie Scott Elbert ready to step up in 2009, Beimel is a luxury the Dodgers probably will choose to not afford. "My perception is that they want to go in a different direction," Beimel's agent, Joe Sroba, told the Los Angeles Times.
Beimel will be seeking a salary exceeding $2 million and is likely to leave now that Hong-Chih Kuo has replaced him as the primary left-handed reliever.
Kuo underwent tests after experiencing a "weird" feeling in his fingers while warming up during Saturday's game. He will go through further testing in the next week to confirm the circulatory problem and ensure nothing else is wrong. If everything checks out fine, Kuo will resume a pitching routine in an Arizona instructional league.
Manager Joe Torre said there was no structural damage in the elbow, which has been operated on four times. But Kuo, who has pitched once in the last 13 days, will remain shelved until at least Tuesday, Sept. 23. Kuo is 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA this year.
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