Hong-Chih Kuo was removed from the Chinese Taipei national team’s roster for the upcoming “All-Star series” against a team of MLB players because of elbow soreness and the Dodgers just announced that he’ll undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove loose bodies from the elbow.
Kuo has a long history of elbow problems, including multiple surgeries, and struggled this season while frequently having extreme control issues.
When healthy the 30-year-old left-hander is one of the best, most dominant pitchers in baseball, posting a 1.96 ERA and 201 strikeouts in 170 innings from 2008-2010. He earned $2.7 million this season and will be arbitration eligible for 2012.
Presumably the Dodgers will tender him a contract, although Kuo likely won’t be cleared to begin throwing for 6-8 weeks and the tender deadline is mid-December.
