Hong-Chih Kuo (anxiety disorder) threw a successful bullpen session on Monday afternoon.

Kuo is currently making rehab appearances at Single-A Rancho Cucamonga and will rejoin the big league club as soon as he feels comfortable doing so. The left-hander had an 11.57 ERA in 4 2/3 innings before landing on the disabled list in mid-May.

Hong-Chih Kuo (anxiety) will begin a minor league rehab assignment Thursday with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Kuo has been sidelined for nearly a month due to an anxiety disorder which caused him to lose his command. It's not known how many appearance he'll make in the minor leagues, but the Dodgers obviously won't push him until he's ready.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Sunday that Hong-Chih Kuo is close to a rehab assignment.

Kuo has been sidelined since May 11 due to anxiety disorder. "I've heard talk about him starting a rehab. It sounded like it was coming," said Mattingly. "The timetable is going to be different than a guy with a wrist or ankle or being physically ready. This will be more of Kuo being able to say, 'I'm ready.'" There's no timetable for that.

Hong-Chih Kuo (anxiety disorder) threw against live hitters Sunday at extended spring training.

"The fact that he's throwing again is encouraging for us," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters after hearing news of the workout. "We're at a point where he's got to let us know when (he's) ready, to take the next step. I think he'll be able to let us know that." There's no timetable at this point for Kuo's return.

Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti said that Hong-Chih Kuo (anxiety disorder) is making progress with his command in extended spring training.

"He has been throwing a lot," said Colletti. "He is at about 90 percent intensity and having no problems with his command. We'll see where we go from here." Kuo was placed on the disabled list earlier this month with an anxiety condition that caused him to lose control of the strike zone. It's not clear when he'll begin pitching in live games again.

Alan Chang of Octagon Sports Management, the agent for Hong-Chih Kuo (anxiety disorder), put to rest any doubts that his client might not pitch again.

It's impossible to predict how long Kuo might be out, be the hope is that it won't be long. "He clearly is focused on working to come back. That's not a question," Chang said when asked if the 29-year-old Kuo is considering retirement. "He does want to come back and really appreciates the support the Dodgers organization has shown him. Everybody is on board to helping him."

Hong-Chih Kuo was awful in his first game off the disabled list, giving up four earned runs on two hits and a walk in 1/3 of an inning.

He also hit a batter, which prompted his exit after 25 pitches. Kuo also was shaky during his rehab appearances last week, so this latest performance certainly could raise questions about whether he is ready to return to prime time.

Dodgers activated LHP Hong-Chih Kuo from the 15-day disabled list.

Kuo didn't fare well during his rehab assignment for High-A Rancho Cucamonga, allowing three runs on six hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings, but the Dodgers evidently think he's ready. He'll be used to set up Jonathan Broxton, though with Broxton's struggles, he could possibly see some save chances down the line.

Hong-Chih Kuo (back) will continue his minor league rehab assignment with High-A Rancho Cucamonga.

Kuo was on track to return Friday, but will remain in the minors after making two shaky appearances earlier this week. He was placed on the disabled list earlier this month with a sore lower back, but is mostly battling a case of the yips.

Hong-Chih Kuo (back) was only able to retire one of the five batters he faced in a minor league rehab appearance with High-A Rancho Cucamonga on Tuesday night.

Not good. Kuo, who was working on back-to-back days for the first time, allowed two runs on four hits. The Dodgers planned to activate him from the disabled list Friday, but his return could be pushed back.

Hong-Chih Kuo (back) will pitch for Single-A Rancho Cucamonga on Monday and Tuesday.

Kuo, who has been out since April 16 with a lower back strain, appears to be nearing a return. It seems like he could be activated later this week if Monday's and Tuesday's outings go well.

Hong-Chih Kuo (back) had his first throwing session Monday since being placed on the disabled list.

Kuo has issued four walks over his first 2 2/3 innings this season after giving up only 18 free passes in 60 innings last year. He went on the disabled list with a strained lower left back, but it's clear his problems are part physical and part mental. The Dodgers are hopeful that he will be able to work out his control problems in short order.

Dodgers placed RHP Hong-Chih Kuo on the 15-day disabled list with a lower back strain.

Kuo has a 3.37 ERA but has struggled with his command, issuing four walks in 2 2/3 innings so far this season. Maybe the time off will do him some good. The Dodgers recalled Ramon Troncoso to fill Kuo's roster spot.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said Hong-Chih Kuo is dealing with "a couple of issues as far as his back."

Mattingly thinks the back problems might be the root cause of Kuo's uncharacteristic wildness thus far (four walks in 2 2/3 innings), but Kuo didn't want to use it as an excuse. "It's not because of my elbow, my shoulder or my back," Kuo said. "I just have to make a pitch." The lefty did admit, though, that he has been getting treatment for a back injury that "comes and goes. It doesn't really bother me right now. Hopefully, I can just get my command better and help my team out."

Hong-Chih Kuo is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Wednesday.

There's nothing wrong with Kuo physically, but the Dodgers have brought him along slowly this spring. Remember, he has had four operations on his throwing elbow during his career. No need to rush him, especially since relievers don't need much work to get ready for the season.

Hong-Chih Kuo will throw live batting practice Saturday for the first time this spring.

Kuo is healthy, but the Dodgers are taking an ultra conservative approach with the injury-prone left-hander. If the batting practice session goes well, he'll have a bullpen session Monday and could pitch in a Cactus League game as early as Wednesday.

Hong-Chih Kuo threw 43 pitches in a bullpen session Monday.

Kuo has had four operations on his throwing elbow, so the Dodgers are treating him conservatively in the early days of spring training. He'll need to throw another bullpen session and live batting practice before making his first appearance of the spring. If all goes well, he could appear in a game next week.

Dodgers pitching coach Rick Honeycutt said Hong-Chih Kuo is unlikely to pitch in back-to-back games early on in the season.

The Dodgers are being extra cautious with Kuo, who has had four operations on his elbow, as he's yet to throw a bullpen session. The southpaw pitched in consecutive games just three times last season, with the first time coming in August. For what it's worth, Kuo wants to be held to the same standard as everyone else, saying he just wants to be "a normal guy." This one is up to the Dodgers, though.

Hong-Chih Kuo played catch every day over the winter at "50-60 percent" effort, according to Dodgers trainer Stan Conte.

It might seem strange that the Dodgers would let someone as injury-prone as Kuo throw that much, but the theory is that when you have an arthritic joint, it's better to keep it moving rather than shut it down and try to re-start it after a long layoff. Kuo, who has had four operations on his elbow, will be eased into spring training workouts. He posted a 1.20 ERA, 0.78 WHIP and 11.0 K/9 rate last season.

Dodgers and LHP Hong-Chih Kuo avoided arbitration Wednesday by agreeing to a one-year, $2.75 million contract.

The deal also includes performance-based incentives. Kuo requested $3.075 million and the Dodgers offered him $2.55 million when arbitration figures were exchanged in mid-January. They essentially found a middle ground. Kuo will serve in a setup role behind Jonathan Broxton in 2011.