It’s Time to Be Worried About Hong-Chih Kuo, Right?
September 23, 2008 at 10:30 am | Posted in Hong-Chih Kuo | 15 Comments
It’s relatively common knowledge that Hong-Chih Kuo has been held out with “elbow soreness” for a while, but I didn’t realize until today that it’s now been 9 days since his last appearance. Not only that, he was terrible in it, giving up 4 hits and the game’s only run in the September 14th 1-0 extra inning loss to Colorado. Before that, it had been 7 days since he pitched, and 6 days before that. It’s September 23rd, and he’s only pitched three times this month, worrying that club enough that he was given an MRI last week on his jigsaw looking elbow.
Today, there’s this from Baseball Prospectus injury guru Will Carroll:
Rob Moore
Is Kuo going to contribute any more this year, or are you getting the feeling that he’s done?Will Carroll BP staff
Leaning to done.
You can’t overstate the impact Kuo has had on the Dodger bullpen this year. His ERA+ of 207 is second only to Joe Beimel, but unlike Beimel, Kuo is striking out more than a batter per inning (96 in 80 IP). More importantly, with a likely playoff berth looming, his domination of the Mets is legendary (I wrote about this in June, and it’s really worthwhile to go take a look at those stats again). He’s nearly as effective against the more likely matchup of Philadelphia and their lefty boppers of Howard and Utley, giving up just 2 hits over 8.1 scoreless innings. Losing a weapon like that could be crippling to what ought to be the Dodgers’ biggest strength in the playoffs, their bullpen.
On the other hand, that magic number is still stuck at 5. Let’s get into the playoffs first, shall we?
- Mike Scioscia’s tragic illness 
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He’s been absolutely massive for the Dodgers this year. They need him for the playoffs and for this final stretch. Wade has been good as well but a healthy Kuo is an absolutely awesome 7th or 8th inning guy. Plus he seems able to go for 2 innings, which most of the other hard-throwing relievers don’t seem to be able to accomplish.
Comment by Erich— September 23, 2008 #
So a hypothetical playoff bullpen would include Kershaw, Beimel, Saito, Broxton, Wade… plus some less-desirables. While Kuo has been killer this year, that’d probably hold it together for a couple of weeks.
Comment by b.rock— September 23, 2008 #
Yeah it looks good on paper but I’m a bit concerned about Kershaw out of the building. He seems to be the kind of guy who gets better as he gets more pitches.
Comment by Erich— September 23, 2008 #
That’s very true. If nothing else, he could eat 3-4 innings if needed, to save the one- and two-inning guys.
Comment by b.rock— September 23, 2008 #
Actually, the good thing about Kershaw is that we could combine him with Maddux. Maddux is good for about 4-5 innings these days (more if he’s pitching very well). Have Kershaw there to back him up for 3-4 innings and, voila, we combine the strengths of both and we have a one whole pitcher.
Comment by Westsidedodger— September 23, 2008 #
And, yeah, it really sucks to lose Kuo for the post-season. But with his injury history, we shouldn’t be surprised. Great pitcher, but just a little too fragile for MLB, I’m afraid.
Comment by Westsidedodger— September 23, 2008 #
Well it’s not official that Kuo’s out yet. But it’s not sounding very good.
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 23, 2008 #
This article from Saturday says Kuo will throw today, not off a mound. They’ll know more then.
http://losangeles.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080921&content_id=3522118&vkey=news_la&fext=.jsp&c_id=la
Comment by Erich— September 23, 2008 #
It sucks to lose Kuo for this year, but i’m just glad his elbow came back structurally sound.
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Cause if not, he may have just retired.
Comment by Fire Ned Colletti Now— September 23, 2008 #
“Actually, the good thing about Kershaw is that we could combine him with Maddux. Maddux is good for about 4-5 innings these days (more if he’s pitching very well). Have Kershaw there to back him up for 3-4 innings and, voila, we combine the strengths of both and we have a one whole pitcher.”
~ Westsidedodger
Not to mention toe opposing offense having to adjust from a soft tossing righty to a fireballing lefty mid-game, could be devastating against the Mess or Phills.
Comment by CarolinaBlues— September 23, 2008 #
Westsidedodger, that’s what I was thinking mainly too, or one of Kuroda’s bad starts. Although, it’s hard to tell if Maddux is tiring. Is it when his fastball drops from 82 to 80?
Comment by b.rock— September 23, 2008 #
I think we will miss Kuo in the playoffs, but I would prefer to have him healthy for next year if that is the choice. Hell, maybe rest is all he needs. I would be ecstatic if that were the diagnosis.
Comment by grabarkewitz— September 23, 2008 #
Wait…what?
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Maddux has been atrocious.
Comment by Fire Ned Colletti Now— September 24, 2008 #
Nice post, I hope you don’t mind the link to your site. Here’s hoping Kuo is okay!
Comment by SoSG Steve Sax— September 24, 2008 #
Is there a blogger alive who doesn’t like getting linked? Thanks!
Comment by Mike Scioscia's tragic illness— September 24, 2008 #