Hong-Chih

Kuo

Kuo has 37 strikeouts in 22 1/3 IP for Jacksonville and a 79/17 K/BB ratio in 48 1/3 IP overall. He might arrive in September.

He’ll replace Tim Hamulack in the Dodger pen. Kuo has continued to struggle with his command in Triple-A, but he should be an upgrade over what Hamulack was giving the Dodgers.

Kuo, who was named the Pacific Coast League’s Pitcher of the Week for July 31-Aug. 6, will be called up when the rosters expand in September. He will be used out of the bullpen in Sept. and could join the Dodgers’ rotation next season.

Kuo had pitched 4 2/3 innings over the previous three days, so he was exchanged for a fresh arm. The Dodgers will try him again later this month or in August, but they still want to see better command from the 24-year-old.

Kuo has pitched excellent since being converted to a starter for Triple-A Las Vegas. He will pitch out of the bullpen when the Dodgers call him up and could join the rotation in 2007.

Kuo agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract in early February to serve as a middle reliever this season in Seattle. But he yielded 15 hits and 14 runs in 6 2/3 Cactus League innings this spring, and the Mariners decided to cut ties on Monday afternoon. The 30-year-old left-hander should get a crack with another organization.

Kuo was released by the Mariners earlier this week after allowing 14 runs on 15 hits (including five homers) over just 6 2/3 innings this spring. “I have talked to Kuo and he told me that he just wanted to regain his former dominance on the mound, and he will stay in America looking for chances,” said Chang. The 30-year-old left-hander looks nothing like the pitcher who was one of the most dominant relievers in the game just two years ago, but we’re sure some organization will give him a chance.

Kuo is working his way back from elbow surgery, but he also dealt with an anxiety disorder last season which impacted his ability to find the strike zone. The 30-year-old left-hander threw his first bullpen session on Sunday and Mariners’ bullpen coach Jamie Navarro was pleased with what he saw. “We’re just watching the arm slot and his mechanics and how he’s dealing with that,” said Navarro. “We’re going to keep a close watch on him through the spring. He has to keep the same arm slot and the mechanics. That’s huge.” Kuo is just one year removed from being one of the most dominant relievers in the game, so he could be a tremendous bargain if he returns to form.

Kuo was non-tendered by the Dodgers earlier this offseason and may only require a minor league deal after being one of the most dominant relievers in the game in 2010. In his seven-year MLB career, he’s had five elbow operations, two Tommy John surgeries, and missed significant time with an anxiety disorder.

It will jump to $1 million if Kuo secures a spot in the Mariners’ Opening Day bullpen and is able to maintain it all year. He can also earn another $2.25 million through performance-based incentives. The 30-year-old left-hander owns a 3.73 career ERA and 1.21 career WHIP.