Hong-Chih Kuo, a 28-year-old left-handed relief pitcher from Taiwan, was among four players agreeing to one-year deals Tuesday with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Major League Baseball club said.
Kuo went 0-2 with a 3.00 earned-run average last season for the Dodgers, striking out 32 batters while surrendering 10 runs on 21 hits and 13 walks in 30 innings over 35 games.
Kuo, 9-13 in five seasons with the Dodgers, made 437,000 dollars last year but will take home 937,000 dollars for the 2010 season.
Under incentive bonuses, Kuo would make 25,000 dollars more for reaching 55 and 60 appearances and an extra 50,000 dollars for pitching in 65 or 70 games. His most career appearances in a major league season, 42, came in 2008.
The Dodgers also agreed to terms with first baseman James Loney, catcher Russell Martin and relief pitcher George Sherrill. Sherrill will be paid 4.5 million dollars in 2010 with Loney taking home 3.1 million dollars next season.
Like Kuo, they were all eligible for salary arbitration.
Copyright 2010  AFP American Edition
