Dodgers and Kuroda Close to a One-Year Deal: Reports

Hiroki Kuroda making a pitch in the first inning at Dodger Stadium against the San Diego Padres on Aug. 2, 2010. AP Photo/Danny Moloshok

According to ESPN.com, the Dodgers and right-handed starting pitcher are close to a one-year $12 million deal.

The 35-year old from Osaka made his Major League debut with the Dodgers in 2008 and has gone 28-30 with a 3.60 ERA in three seasons with the club including 11-13 with a 3.39 ERA in the 2010 season.

There was speculation at the end of the season that Kuroda would return to Nippon Professional Baseball and specifically the Hiroshima Toyo Carp where he had pitched since 1997 before jumping to America. In 11 seasons Kuroda went 103-89 with a 3.69 ERA and 1,257 strikeouts with the Carp.