Saito Is Willing to Be Setup Man

Takashi Saito established himself as one of the best closers in the major leagues this season, but he would be willing to return to a setup role next season.

“I have the ability to adjust to whatever role the team and the manager ask,” Saito said through an interpreter. “I wouldn’t say it necessarily has to be the closer.”

That flexibility could allow the Dodgers to sign Eric Gagne to an incentive-based contract, then restore Saito as closer if Gagne cannot return to form after two injury-plagued seasons. The Dodgers also are grooming Jonathan Broxton as a closer.

Even if the Dodgers promise him the closer’s role, however, Saito says he is not sure whether to play in the United States next season or return to Japan and will not decide until he talks with his wife and two children after this season. In any case, he has accomplished his goal -- to pitch one season in the majors.

Saito, 36, has tied the Dodgers’ rookie record with 21 saves, not bad for a guy who reported to spring training without a guaranteed contract and started the season in the minor leagues.

“I didn’t think I would have this much success,” he said. “The Dodgers have been good to me. Hopefully, I have been good to them.”

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Hong-Chih Kuo, who made his first major league start 19 days ago, could start Game 1 of the playoffs for the Dodgers, depending on how the next six days play out.

Manager Grady Little confirmed that Kuo would start Friday at San Francisco. Greg Maddux would start Saturday and Derek Lowe on Sunday, each on three days’ rest, so long as the Dodgers’ playoff fate remains undetermined. Little said rookie Chad Billingsley, who has no major league relief appearances, would work as a long reliever this week and into the playoffs, if the Dodgers get there.

Little also said Brad Penny would start a potential tiebreaker Monday, which could put Kuo in line to start a playoff opener. In four starts, Kuo is 1-1 with a 2.59 earned-run average.

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The Dodgers put tickets on sale Monday for the first two rounds of the playoffs, but no game has sold out. Single tickets remain available for the division series and first game of the National League championship series, with multiple tickets available for other NLCS games.... The Dodgers will switch one of their Class-A affiliations next season, dropping the Columbus (Ga.) Catfish and adding the Great Lakes Loons, based in Midland, Mich.

bill.shaikin@latimes.com