Jon Heyman of SI.com writes that if Hiroki Kuroda pitches in the United States next season, it will be with the Dodgers. That's the common line of thinking, especially after Kuroda chose not to waive his no-trade clause before the July 31 deadline. Of course, the Dodgers may not be able to afford him, so he might return to Japan and take up an offer from the Hiroshima Carp. The 36-year-old right-hander posted a 3.07 ERA and 161/49 K/BB ratio over 202 innings this season.

According to Patrick Newman's NPB Tracker, the Hiroshima Carp have made an offer to Hiroki Kuroda. "I'm happy that they would evaluate my contributions like that," Kuroda told Japan's Nikkan Sports. "Naturally, I'm happy. A feeling that they really want to win came across." The 36-year-old free agent right-hander is expected to either re-sign with the Dodgers this winter or return to his native country. He posted a fantastic 3.07 ERA and 161/49 K/BB ratio in 202 innings this season.

Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York was told by a source that the expectation is impending free agent Hiroki Kuroda will either return to Los Angeles or go back to Japan. The Yankees were interested in Kuroda last winter and looked into trading for him at the deadline, but odds are they will have to look in another direction. Kuroda, 36, went 13-16 with a 3.07 ERA and 161/49 K/BB ratio over an MLB career-high 202 innings this season. He hasn't ruled out returning home to play for the Hiroshima Carp, where he spent 11 seasons before signing with the Dodgers in December of 2007.

Hiroki Kuroda tossed six shutout innings in a no-decision against the Diamondbacks on Tuesday. He struck out five, walked none and scattered five hits. It was a gem of an outing in what could be his last start as a Dodger. Kuroda said over the weekend that there is a "50-50 chance" that he pitches for Hiroshima in 2012. Kuroda made $12 million plus incentives this year and is an impending free agent. He ends the year 13-16 despite a sterling 3.07 ERA and 1.21 WHIP.

Hiroki Kuroda said it's a "50-50 chance" that he pitches for Hiroshima in 2012. "At this moment, I really don't know. I might stay here, I might go to Japan. It's 50-50," Kuroda said. Kuroda said earlier this month that he will pitch again next season. If he returns to Japan, it would be to pitch with Hiroshima, where he spent 11 seasons prior to joining the Dodgers. Kuroda made $12 million plus incentives this year and will be a free agent at season's end. He's 13-16 with a 3.17 ERA and will make his last start of 2011 Tuesday against Arizona.

Hiroki Kuroda limited the Giants to two runs over seven innings in a victory Thursday. Kuroda earned a $175,000 bonus for going over 190 innings tonight. If he pitches again next week, he should get the four innings he needs for an extra $200,000. One of the NL's better pitchers despite his poor record, he's 13-16 with a 3.17 ERA.

Hiroki Kuroda yielded two runs -- one earned -- and struck out seven over six innings in a victory over the Pirates on Friday. If Kuroda had struggled with his neck injury again tonight, he likely would have been shut down for the rest of the season. Since he impressed, now it looks like he'll make at least one more start. He's one inning away from earning himself a $175,000 bonus.

Hiroki Kuroda (neck) will make his scheduled Friday start against the Pirates. A Thursday MRI turned up nothing major, so the 36-year-old righty will continue his pursuit of two innings-based incentives. Currently at 183 frames on the season, Kuroda will earn a $175,000 bonus if he reaches 190 and another $200,000 if he makes it to 200. The owner of a solid 3.25 ERA on the year, Kuroda has been far less effective in his past five starts, allowing 17 runs over just 29 2/3 innings for a 5.16 ERA.

Hiroki Kuroda acknowledged after Sunday's loss to the Giants that he's again experiencing neck discomfort. Kuroda yielded three runs on eight hits in just 4 2/3 innings against San Francisco, and has now struggled in three straight outings. He called the neck pain "mild" when talking to reporters Sunday evening, but it's clearly affecting his ability to retire batters. The right-hander isn't going to be an effective fantasy option down the stretch.

Hiroki Kuroda had a rare off day Sunday, allowing three runs on eight hits and a walk over just 4 2/3 innings in a loss to the Giants. It was the right-hander's shortest outing of the season and marks the first time since June that he didn't go at least six innings. The showing is doubling disappointing in the fact that it came against the Giants' feeble lineup. Kuroda still boasts a terrific 3.25 ERA and 1.25 WHIP after the start and stands a good chance of rebounding against the Pirates his next time out.