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Hong-Chih Kuo | Relief Pitcher

Team: Chicago Cubs
Age / DOB:  (31) / 7/23/1981
Ht / Wt:  6'2' / 240
Bats / Throws: Left / Left
Contract: view contract details
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Cubs released LHP Hong-Chih Kuo.
Kuo signed a minor league deal with the Cubs last month, but didn't appear in a game. The 30-year-old left-hander posted a 9.00 ERA and 36/26 K/BB ratio across 27 innings with the Dodgers last season while dealing with a back injury and an anxiety disorder. He failed to make the Mariners out of spring training this year. Fri, Jul 6, 2012 11:39:00 PM
Source: Baseball America

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Player News

Date:
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Cubs signed LHP Hong-Chih Kuo to a minor league contract.

Kuo will have to climb his way up the ladder of Chicago's minor league system, but this is a worthwhile gamble for the Cubs. They invest nothing and could potentially unearth an asset for one of baseball's worst bullpens. It seems like an eternity ago, but Kuo was one of the most dominant relievers in the game in 2010, a season in which he was an All-Star. In his seven-year MLB career, the 30-year-old left-hander has had five elbow operations, two Tommy John surgeries, and missed significant time with an anxiety disorder. The Cubs figure to be patient with him.
Mon, Jun 4, 2012 01:39:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Hong-Chih Kuo's agent, Alan Chang, told the China Post that his client plans to continue his career in the United States.

Kuo was released by the Mariners earlier this week after allowing 14 runs on 15 hits (including five homers) over just 6 2/3 innings this spring. "I have talked to Kuo and he told me that he just wanted to regain his former dominance on the mound, and he will stay in America looking for chances," said Chang. The 30-year-old left-hander looks nothing like the pitcher who was one of the most dominant relievers in the game just two years ago, but we're sure some organization will give him a chance.
Source: The China Post
Wed, Mar 21, 2012 02:49:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Mariners released LHP Hong-Chih Kuo.

Kuo agreed to a one-year, $500,000 contract in early February to serve as a middle reliever this season in Seattle. But he yielded 15 hits and 14 runs in 6 2/3 Cactus League innings this spring, and the Mariners decided to cut ties on Monday afternoon. The 30-year-old left-hander should get a crack with another organization.
Source: Shannon Drayer on Twitter
Mon, Mar 19, 2012 03:32:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

The Mariners are keeping tabs on Hong-Chih Kuo's mechanics this spring.

Kuo is working his way back from elbow surgery, but he also dealt with an anxiety disorder last season which impacted his ability to find the strike zone. The 30-year-old left-hander threw his first bullpen session on Sunday and Mariners' bullpen coach Jamie Navarro was pleased with what he saw. "We're just watching the arm slot and his mechanics and how he's dealing with that," said Navarro. "We're going to keep a close watch on him through the spring. He has to keep the same arm slot and the mechanics. That's huge." Kuo is just one year removed from being one of the most dominant relievers in the game, so he could be a tremendous bargain if he returns to form.
Source: Seattle Times
Tue, Feb 14, 2012 09:52:00 AM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, Hong-Chih Kuo's deal with the Mariners is worth $500,000 guaranteed.

It will jump to $1 million if Kuo secures a spot in the Mariners' Opening Day bullpen and is able to maintain it all year. He can also earn another $2.25 million through performance-based incentives. The 30-year-old left-hander owns a 3.73 career ERA and 1.21 career WHIP.
Source: Jon Heyman on Twitter
Tue, Feb 7, 2012 10:45:00 AM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Mariners signed LHP Hong-Chih Kuo to a one-year contract.

No word yet on the financial details of the agreement, but it's probably not worth much more than $1 million. Kuo struggled to attract free agent interest this winter afer posting a troubling 9.00 ERA and 36/26 K/BB ratio across 27 innings last year out of the Dodgers bullpen. He's struggled recently with elbow and anxiety issues.
Source: Dylan Hernandez on Twiter
Mon, Feb 6, 2012 11:59:00 AM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Hong-Chi Kuo's agent, Alan Chang, says Kuo is close to a decision, and Jayson Stark's sources say he's likely headed to the Mariners.

The oft-injured left-hander was non-tendered by the Dodgers last month, but he's a nice lottery ticket purchase by the Mariners. He posted a 9.00 ERA and 36/26 K/BB ratio over 27 innings this past season but is just one year removed from being one of the most dominant relievers in the game. Kuo is no sure bet to bounce back, of course. He's had five elbow operations, two Tommy John surgeries, and missed significant time with an anxiety disorder over the course of his career.
Related: Mariners
Source: Jayson Stark on Twitter
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 06:49:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

The Mariners are one of three West Coast teams "looking closely" at free agent reliever Hong-Chih Kuo.

Kuo was non-tendered by the Dodgers earlier this offseason and may only require a minor league deal after being one of the most dominant relievers in the game in 2010. In his seven-year MLB career, he's had five elbow operations, two Tommy John surgeries, and missed significant time with an anxiety disorder.
Related: Mariners
Source: Geoff Baker on Twitter
Sun, Feb 5, 2012 09:35:00 AM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that three West Coast teams are "kicking the tires" on free agent reliever Hong-Chih Kuo.

The oft-injured left-hander was non-tendered by the Dodgers last month, but he wouldn't be a bad gamble for someone. Kuo posted a 9.00 ERA and 36/26 K/BB ratio over 27 innings this past season but is just one year removed from being one of the most dominant relievers in the game. He might only require a minor league deal.
Source: Boston Globe
Sun, Jan 29, 2012 09:31:00 AM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Dodgers non-tendered LHP Hong-Chih Kuo.

Not a surprise given that he underwent elbow surgery in October and was set to make between $2-3 million in his third year of arbitration. Kuo missed significant time with an anxiety disorder this past season, posting a 9.00 ERA and 36/26 K/BB ratio over 27 innings. The 30-year-old southpaw is just one year removed from being one of the most dominant relievers in the game, so he should have plenty of suitors in free agency.
Source: Larry Stone on Twitter
Mon, Dec 12, 2011 09:59:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Hong-Chi Kuo's elbow operation went as expected, according to Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times.

Kuo successfully underwent his fifth elbow operation Friday and will begin a throwing program in six to eight weeks. He remains under team control for 2012, but is a non-tender candidate this winter. The 30-year-old also missed significant time this past season while dealing with an anxiety disorder.
Source: Dylan Hernandez on Twitter
Fri, Oct 28, 2011 06:33:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Hong-Chih Kuo's agent Alan Chang told Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times that his client has no plans to retire.

Kuo hinted at retirement in September and is scheduled to undergo his fifth elbow operation Friday, but the left-hander is expected to begin a throwing program in six to eight weeks. "There's no thought of retirement," said Chang. "He's fully committed and highly motivated to do what it takes." Kuo remains under team control for 2012, but is an obvious non-tender candidate this winter.
Source: Los Angeles Times
Thu, Oct 27, 2011 01:12:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Hong-Chih Kuo is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery Friday on his left elbow.

It's not a major procedure, but it might not really matter. Kuo, 30, is likely to be non-tendered by the Dodgers this winter and mentioned last month that he might retire.
Source: Los Angeles Dodgers on Twitter
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 05:33:00 PM
Hong-Chih Kuo - R - Cubs

Hong-Chih Kuo will miss the MLB All-Star exhibition games in Taiwan due to an elbow injury.

According to a Chinese Taipei Baseball Association press statement, Kuo recently experienced pain during an examination by Dodgers' head trainer and physical therapist Stan Conte, who suggested he withdraw from the series. The 30-year-old has had elbow surgery four times and missed time this season while dealing with an anxiety disorder. He will be examined further by the team's head physician. Kuo told Ken Gurnick of Dodgers.com last month that he isn't sure if he'll continue playing baseball. "I need a break," he said. "I love baseball and that's why I keep going. If I want to still play and somebody wants to give me a try, I play. If not, fine with me. I'll miss it. But I don't want to play unless I enjoy it again."
Source: Focus Taiwan News
Tue, Oct 25, 2011 06:41:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
C1Welington Castillo
2Dioner Navarro
3Steve Clevenger
1B1Anthony Rizzo
2B1Darwin Barney
SS1Starlin Castro
3B1Luis Valbuena
2Cody Ransom
LF1Alfonso Soriano
2Ryan Sweeney
CF1David DeJesus
RF1Nate Schierholtz
2Scott Hairston
Starting Pitcher
PosRoleName
S1Matt Garza
2Jeff Samardzija
3Edwin Jackson
4Scott Baker
5Scott Feldman
6Travis Wood
7Carlos Villanueva
Relief Pitcher
PosRoleName
R1Kevin Gregg
2Kyuji Fujikawa
3Carlos Marmol
4James Russell
5Shawn Camp
6Michael Bowden
7Hector Rondon
8Arodys Vizcaino