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Saito: Surgery is a possibility
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More from MLBLOS ANGELES — Los Angeles Dodgers closer Takashi Saito said he hopes to be pitching again well before the end of the season, then added that surgery is a possibility for his ailing right elbow.
"Right now, I'm under doctor's and trainer's orders to rest 10 days with no activities," Saito said Thursday on a conference call through translator Acey Kohrogi, the Dodgers' director of Asian operations. "The possibility exists that (surgery) might have to happen.
"Right now, we're concentrating on the six weeks of rehab and how that's going. I hope to be back by the end of August."
Saito was diagnosed with a sprained ligament in his pitching elbow earlier this week by a team doctor, who recommended six weeks of rehabilitation before the 38-year-old right-hander is reevaluated. Saito will be placed on the 15-day disabled list when the Dodgers return from the All-Star break tonight in Arizona.
Saito, 3-3 with a 2.18 ERA and 17 saves in 20 chances, was forced to come out of Saturday night's game against Florida because of what he called abnormal tightness in his elbow. He had an MRI on Monday.
When asked if he feared his injury could end his career, Saito replied: "I'm not able to answer that question at this time. I have no thought about (retirement) at this time. My focus is on coming back and how I can help the team."
Saito, speaking from his Los Angeles home, said he's received permission to return to his native Japan for a brief visit with his family since he's unable to rehabilitate for the time being.
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