Saito has saved 17 games so far this season with an ERA of 2.18 and likely would have replaced Kerry Wood in the All-Star game but for his injury. Broxton, whose fastball reaches 100 mph, filled in temporarily for Saito last season with mixed results. He is widely regarded as the Dodgers closer of the future, but any struggles may force the Dodgers to make a trade, since pitching is the only thing keeping the team in the playoff hunt.
This may also mean the return of phenom Clayton Kershaw, as the Dodgers consider returning Chan Ho Park to the bullpen to compensate for Saito's loss.
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Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.