Hong-Chih Kuo requested $3.075 million and was offered $2.55 million from the Dodgers when arbitration figures were exchange Tuesday.

Kuo earned $975,000 in his first chance at arbitration last winter. We're inclined to think he'll come pretty close to $3 million after posting a 1.20 ERA, 73/18 K/BB ratio and 12 saves in 13 chances last season.

Dodgers manager Joe Torre says that Hong-Chih Kuo is the team's closer, but he's also not afraid to use him in the eighth inning if the game calls for it.

That's what happened Saturday, when Kuo retired the last two batters of the eighth inning before turning over the ninth to Jonathan Broxton, who blew the save. "Kuo is our closer," said Torre. "But if the game dictates that he needs to pitch in the eighth, that's what we do." It's refreshing to hear Torre say this, as more teams should employ their relievers this way, but it's not good news for fantasy owners of Kuo or Broxton.

Hong-Chih Kuo retired all four batters he faced to earn his seventh save Monday against the Phillies.

Kuo has allowed just two hits in 6 1/3 scoreless innings since his blowup two weeks ago in his first appearance as the Dodgers' new closer. He's doing everything he can to hold off Jonathan Broxton.

According to Dylan Hernandez, Hong-Chih Kuo is the Dodgers' new closer, but Octavio Dotel would be the choice in the ninth inning tonight.

That's because Kuo worked the last two days. We can't imagine that manager Joe Torre really wants to take Jonathan Broxton out of the role for any length of time, but Kuo could get some saves over the next couple of weeks.

Hong-Chih Kuo has been added to the National League All-Star roster as a replacement for the injured Jason Heyward.

Manager Charlie Manuel first asked Billy Wagner to go, but the veteran declined. Kuo, who is a first-time All-Star, has been terrific in a setup role for manager Joe Torre this year, posting a 1.03 ERA, 0.72 WHIP and 12.3 K/9 rate.

With Jonathan Broxton needing a day off, Hong-Chih Kuo pitched a scoreless ninth for the save as the Dodgers beat the Giants 4-2 on Monday.

Just as strong as ever, Kuo has a 1.11 ERA, a 0.74 WHIP and 30 strikeouts in 24 1/3 innings this season. It's anyone's guess whether he'll be healthy when the Dodgers need him down the stretch, but he's looking like one of baseball's best relievers at the moment.

Dodgers activated LHP Hong-Chih Kuo from the 15-day disabled list.

Kuo is already with the Dodgers and even through a bullpen session Tuesday at Great American Ballpark. He woke up Wednesday without soreness and will slide into a lefty specialist role in the Dodgers' bullpen.

Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) threw a bullpen session before Tuesday night's game against the Reds.

Kuo needed just six pitches to get through an appearance with Class A Inland Empire on Sunday, but Dodgers manager Joe Torre isn't ready to activate him quite yet. "I'm not concerned about his ability to pitch," said Torre. "It's that he feels OK after he pitches."

Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) could return from the disabled list next week.

Kuo made a minor league rehab appearance for Single-A Inland Empire on Thursday and played catch on Friday. He's set for a final tuneup on Sunday. He'll offer Joe Torre a left-handed alternative to George Sherrill, who has struggled to the tune of a 16.20 ERA over his first five appearances this season.

Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) threw a perfect inning Thursday in a rehab appearance at Single-A Inland Empire.

Kuo struck out two batters and still only required 12 pitches. He might only need two or three more rehab appearances before rejoining the Dodgers' bullpen. Look for him in a setup role in about a week.

Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Thursday with Single-A Inland Empire.

Kuo has been out since the start of the season with a sore elbow. He looked impressive in a bullpen session over the weekend, though, and shouldn't take long to get geared up for major league duty. The Dodgers are hoping to have him back by the end of April.

Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) completed an "impressive" bullpen session on Sunday.

Kuo is expected to throw another one on Wednesday or Thursday. Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said Kuo might need only one more bullpen session before embarking on a minor league rehab assignment. It's possible that he could be back by the end of the month.

Hong-Chih Kuo (elbow) made 20 throws off a mound Tuesday.

He reported no pain or discomfort in his left elbow and woke up Wednesday morning without much soreness. "A good sign," said Kuo. He's expected to begin a minor league rehab assignment in about a week.

Dodgers placed LHP Hong-Chih Kuo on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with a sore elbow.

Kuo has already had four surgeries on the elbow, so any soreness there is a problem to say the least. When he's been right, he's been a great asset to the Dodgers, but with Torre's penchant for over-using relievers, and Kuo's injury history, it doesn't look like this story will end well.