"An empty ballpark. A game without any postseason implications. A solid performance. No win to show for it.

For Hiroki Kuroda, Wednesday night was a repeat of countless other frustrating nights he has endured this season. He held the Colorado Rockies to one run over six innings, only to be saddled with the loss in a 3-1 defeat at Dodger Stadium.

While Kuroda lowered his earned-run average to 3.11, his record dropped to 6-13. Until Rod Barajas hit a ninth-inning home run, the Dodgers were on the verge of being shut out for the third time in his last seven starts.

But Kuroda can put an end to the vicious cycle. The decision appears to be his to make.

All he has to do is waive his no-trade clause.

General Manager Ned Colletti met with Kuroda in San Francisco last week to talk about the possibility. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are among several American League teams interested in acquiring him by the non-waiver trade deadline on Sunday, according to reports.

Kuroda said he hasn't spent significant time pondering his options. He acknowledged that would change over the next several days.

"I obviously I have to think it about more," he said. "But, first, my agent will have to tell me what my options are."

Kuroda accepted less than his perceived market value last winter in exchange for the inclusion of the no-trade provision in his deal. In an off-season in which Ted Lilly signed a three-year, $35-million deal, Kuroda accepted a one-year, $12-million contract.

Kuroda and his family have called Los Angeles home for the last four years. The city has a large Japanese community. His daughters attend school in the area."