Kuroda, Hiroki

Because of the "posting" system that controls the flow of players from the Japanese major leagues to North America, many players who arrive to The Show are in a similar situation to older players like Koji Uehara, Takashi Saito and Hideki Kuroda. Kuroda was a fine pitcher for the Hiroshima Carp. Kuroda posted a couple of very good seasons in Japan amidst many solid, but unremarkable ones. Since arriving in Los Angeles, Kuroda has been effective but has had a hard time staying healthy. Kuroda underwent acupunture therapy for the tendonitis that plagued him throughout 2009 and hopes to be fully healthy in 2010.

Kuroda's Los Angeles numbers have been roughly analogous to his track record in Japan,but we should allow for some decline in the 35 year old's game. That is, his upper range is likely to be what it was last season in terms of control (24 walks in 117.1IP) but perhaps a few less strikeouts returning to 6 or a little less per nine IP). The Dodger bullpen projects pretty well and Broxton is an excellent closer. So if Kuroda is able to stay healthy and work late into games (hitherto a problem for him) he should be able to generate a fair number of decisions. We are somewhat skeptical about his durability and his strikeout rates is a major question fro fantasy owners. 10-0-3.76-1.20-85. 130IP