Japanese pitcher is pursued

The Dodgers sent a three-man contingent that included closer Takashi Saito to meet with free-agent pitcher Hiroki Kuroda in Tokyo last week.

With a shortage of quality arms among free agents and high asking prices for top-quality pitchers on the trade market, the 32-year-old Kuroda could be an affordable option to bolster their rotation. Visiting Kuroda with Saito to convey the Dodgers’ interest were director of Asian operations Acey Kohrogi and scout Keiichi Kojima.

The right-hander is said to throw a mid-90s fastball, slider, forkball and “shuuto,” which resembles a reverse slider. Kuroda has a 103-89 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 11 seasons with the Hiroshima Carp. He had his best season in 2006, when he was 13-6 with a 1.85 ERA.

Kuroda, who is expected to receive at least a three-year deal worth up to $10 million a season, could be a fourth or fifth starter in a Dodgers’ rotation with question marks. How Jason Schmidt will come back from season-ending shoulder surgery remains uncertain and late-season addition Esteban Loaiza was 1-4 with an 8.34 ERA in five starts.

But Kuroda has several suitors, including the Seattle Mariners and Kansas City Royals. The Arizona Diamondbacks confirmed Tuesday they had made an offer to the pitcher. Kuroda also hasn’t ruled out staying with the Carp.

Kuroda’s agent, Steve Hilliard, said he would meet Kuroda in Hiroshima today to inform him of the discussions he has had with major league teams. Hilliard also represents Saito.

Kuroda told several Japanese media outlets that he wanted to decide quickly whether to come to the U.S.

Dodgers assistant general manager Kim Ng left for China Tuesday to be part of the Young Leaders Forum for the National Committee on U.S.-China relations. The YLF intends to build economic, geopolitical and cultural ties between the two countries.

dylan.hernandez@latimes.com