Kuo coming back for the NLCS?
PHILADELPHIA –- Left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo was on the Dodgers’ charter flight that landed in Philadelphia about an hour ago.
Kuo missed the Dodgers’ first-round sweep of the Cubs because of discomfort in his elbow, which has been operated on four times, but it looks like he could be added to the roster for the NLCS, which starts Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.
Kuo pitched in a simulated game at Dodger Stadium this morning and threw 19 pitches to switch-hitter Delwyn Young, who had four at-bats –- two from the right side of the plate and two from the left. Kuo reported feeling no pain.
No decision has been made on whether to move Kuo onto the roster; Manager Joe Torre and trainer Stan Conte want to see how he feels when he wakes up Wednesday morning.
Adding Kuo, who had a 2.14 earned-run average in 42 regular-season games, could be a significant plus for the Dodgers, as they’re facing a Philadelphia team loaded with left-handed bats. If Kuo can pitch, 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw won’t have to be kept in the bullpen as the team’s second left-handed reliever, and could be moved into the rotation as the Game 4 starter.
Torre said Monday that Kuo is the only player who wasn’t on the division series roster who is being considered for the NLCS roster.
-- Dylan Hernandez
Photo: The Dodgers' Hong-Chih Kuo pitches against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 21 at Dodger Stadium. Credit: Alex Gallardo/Los Angeles Times
