11:07 PM PDT on Monday, July 12, 2010 By DAVID LASSEN The Press-Enterprise With the late addition of the Dodgers' Hong-Chih Kuo, the National League roster includes three middle relievers, an All-Star rarity. There have only been a dozen middle men so honored in the last decade. "We need some left hands pitching in there," said NL manager Charlie Manuel, "because I looked at the American League and they have some really good left-hands hitters, and in the space of the game moving along, one part of the ballgame, we might want to put some lefties on a couple of them." The left-handed Kuo is 3-1 with a 0.99 and two saves in 26 games. Left-handed hitters are 0 for 31 against him this season. Lefthander Arthur Rhodes of Cincinnati is 3-3 with a 1.54 ERA and no saves in 41 appearances; left-handed hitters are batting .204 against him. (Right-handers are batting .147). The other middle reliever is right-hander Evan Meek of Pittsburgh, 4-3 with a 1.11 ERA and one save in 40 games. The inclusion of three middle men is an accurate reflection of their importance in the game, says Bud Black, the San Diego manager serving as a National League coach. "I think everybody in the game realized the importance of the guys who pitch before the closer," Black said. "I think now ... there is a deserving component to the set-up man, no doubt." Still, Kuo never really expected to be included. "I never thought about it," he said. "For me, it's like a bonus." He has no idea if he'll get a chance to pitch, but won't be too disappointed if it doesn't happen. "As a reliever," he said, "you've got to be ready every day, right? Being here is enough. If I get an opportunity to get in the game, I'll have fun, but if not, I'm still enjoying the game." http://www.pe.com/sports/breakout/stories/PE_Sports_Local_D_web_only_kuo _13.19a3263.html http://is.gd/dpXRw --

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