(Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Dodgers left former closer Takashi Saito off their 25-player roster for the National League Championship Series, which was announced on Thursday. Saito has struggled to regain his pitching form after missing two months with a sprained ligament in his right elbow, and young right-hander Jonathan Broxton has assumed the role of closer in his absence.

The 38-year-old Saito suffered the injury in July, and didn't return to action for the Dodgers until the final two weeks of the regular season. The Japanese right-hander was 3-3 with 17 saves and a 2.18 earned run average in 39 appearances prior to the injury, and finished the season 4-4 with 18 saves and a 2.49 ERA.

Saito struggled in his only appearance in Los Angeles' three-game sweep of the Chicago Cubs in the NLDS, allowing two runs on three hits while failing to get an out in Game 2. If Saito regains his form in side sessions, he can be put on the Dodgers' World Series roster, if Los Angeles advances.

Left-handed reliever Hong-Chih Kuo was added to the NLCS roster after missing the NLDS against Chicago. Kuo has been sidelined since September 14 with soreness in his triceps. He was 5-3 with a 2.14 ERA in 42 appearances this season for the Dodgers.



Copyright 2008 The Sports Network
All rights reserved