Saito to have MRI exam today

All-Star closer Takashi Saito, beset by shoulder and neck soreness, is set to have an MRI exam performed on his shoulder blade this morning at the Kerlan-Jobe Clinic.

Saito has missed the last four games -- including save opportunities on Saturday and Sunday -- but may be available during a three-game series in Houston that starts today, Dodgers Manager Grady Little said.

“Any time you are without the use of your closer, it’s a concern,” Little said. “It keeps getting better, but we have to be sure of it before we put him back out on the mound.”

Saito, who has converted 25 of 28 save chances, said Saturday the pain was comparable to the constant soreness he experienced during his last three years pitching in Japan.

The bullpen struggled to adjust last month when Saito missed a series against the San Diego Padres because of a tight left hamstring.

Relievers were saddled with two losses in the three-game sweep by San Diego.

De facto closer Jonathan Broxton, who allowed an unearned run Sunday after converting a save the day before, said he was ready to fill the closer’s role for as long as necessary.

“I have the same mind-set going out there,” he said. “You are still going out there having fun, throwing strikes and trying to not let the other team win.”

*

Randy Wolf said he is tentatively scheduled to return from the disabled list when the Dodgers return home from their seven-game trip to Houston and Colorado.

Wolf, who has a shoulder impingement in his throwing arm, pitched a full bullpen session before Sunday’s game, throwing off the mound for about 10 minutes.

Wolf said he experienced no pain or tightness during the session. He is slated to make a rehabilitation start Wednesday for Class-A Inland Empire.

“There was talk about maybe doing another one,” Wolf said.

*

Before the game, Little said that Mark Hendrickson, originally penciled in to start Sunday, would be available out the bullpen against the Mets.

Hendrickson is scheduled to start Tuesday at Houston.

Asked if he had his rotation set for the four games against the Rockies that follow the three against the Astros, Little said, “We feel fortunate we have the three set for Houston.”

He amended the statement to say that Brad Penny is scheduled to start the first game against the Rockies on his normal five days’ rest.

*

Dodgers prospect Chin-lung Hu, the MVP at the All-Star Futures Game, is hitting .541 in nine games since being promoted to triple-A Las Vegas. Hu, a 23-year-old shortstop from Taiwan, is hitting a combined .351 with nine home runs and 46 runs batted in between Las Vegas and double-A Jacksonville.

*

Juan Pierre went hitless in four at-bats, ending his hitting streak at a season-high 14 games. ... Rafael Furcal’s home run was his second leading off a game this season, the first coming against the Angels last month. He hit six leadoff home runs last year.

jonathan.abrams@latimes.com