(外電)Kuo could return to Dodgers' bullpen on Monday

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文章標題標題：Kuo could return to Dodgers' bullpen on Monday


全文：

By Ken Gurnick / MLB.com

07/19/09 4:07 PM ET

LOS ANGELES -- Not only is Jason Schmidt returning Monday night, but the
Dodgers also are considering activating reliever Hong-Chih Kuo.

Kuo pitched a scoreless inning in a rehab appearance Saturday at Class A
Inland Empire and Sunday said he felt fine.

"I'm ready," he said.

For what?

"To pitch here," he said. "I'm happy. I feel good. I'm ready to pitch."

This is almost as surprising as Schmidt's return from two shoulder operations
and two years off -- and possibly more meaningful to the Dodgers' chances
this year. Schmidt's comeback is a headline story, but Kuo's elbow, with four
operations, will be the subject of medical journals.

Kuo was most recently 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. He made three rehab appearances for the Dodgers' Arizona League
affiliate, allowing just two hits in three innings while walking one and
striking out five. He made two more appearances for Triple-A Albuquerque
before Saturday night's Inland Empire game.

His absence for most of this season has triggered a chain reaction that
includes the emergence of setup men Ramon Troncoso and Ronald Belisario, but
also the signing of free agent Will Ohman -- now on the disabled list -- and
the heavy usage that has Belisario and Cory Wade on the disabled list.

It also has the Dodgers in search mode for bullpen help with the July 31
Trade Deadline approaching. In a stroke of timing, one club they've targeted
is coming to town. The Cincinnati Reds, who arrive Monday night, have a
bullpen of veterans that appeal to the Dodgers.

Primarily, that means closer Francisco Cordero, right-handed workhorse David
Weathers and lefty specialist Arthur Rhodes. The Orioles also have some
relievers that fit the Dodgers profile, most notably George Sherrill.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre sounded pleasantly surprised with the Kuo update.

"He really had a good result and we may have the finish line in mind right
now," said Torre, who wasn't sure if the club wanted Kuo to make one more
Minor League appearance. "I think he's been tested about as much as he can be
tested and he seems to have responded pretty well. He had a big smile on his
face today. It's a big decision."

A healthy Kuo, last year's MLB.com Setup Man of the Year, would be a huge
addition, especially with the uncertain status of closer Jonathan Broxton and
the nerve problem in his right big toe, an issue Torre said must be monitored
the rest of the season. The Dodgers, however, have received consistent
performances from Troncoso and, since mid-May, a revitalized Guillermo Mota.

Torre concedes his starting rotation's inability to pitch deep into games
consistently, requiring frequent calls to the bullpen, has him concerned.

"No question," he said. "That's why I talk about our pitchers needing to go
seven innings, to take the load off the bullpen. You don't want to spring a
leak there. Yeah, it's a concern."

Reinstating Schmidt or Kuo from the 60-day disabled list will require the
Dodgers to move one player each off the 25-man roster and one each off the
40-man roster. One 40-man spot figures to be cleared by moving Eric Milton,
recovering from last week's back surgery, to the 60-day list. The same could
be done with Ohman, who has shoulder tendinitis.

原文文章連結（請縮網址）：http://0rz.tw/QNGVq

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推 terryyeh:GJ
推 sasolala:JG
推 shline:TJ
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推 phix:休息上半季 下半跟跟流川楓一樣該衝刺了...XD
→ Terrill:3F zzz 水桶吧
推 DavidCooper:3F要開TJ?
推 Avis:那2F又是啥意思?
噓 nivea73:我要噓三樓 白目 欠罵 不知道在想啥
噓 lpju:三樓難笑當有趣
推 korn:三樓三樓去作一次TJ，就會笑不出來了，真是白爛
→ danny1451:TJ？那是啥？
推 NetKing520:三樓請水桶
→ saidon:TJ=Tommy John手術
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推 PTTsucker:大家真敏感...為了一個推文認真起來了科科
推 baronterry:KUO很怕再有大手術吧  你叫你喜歡的人做三次大手術看看
→ Terrill:沒錯...3F 根本就是小白 = =