LOS ANGELES — Dodgers closer Takashi Saito will be sidelined until at least late August with a sprained elbow ligament in his pitching arm, the team announced.

Saito, 38, was diagnosed yesterday by team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who has ruled out surgery for now. Saito is headed for the 15-day disabled list and will rehabilitate his right arm for six weeks, then be reevaluated.

He is 3-3 with a 2.18 ERA in 39 appearances. Saito has 17 saves in 20 chances.

General Manager Ned Colletti said it is difficult to replace a closer.

"As far as trading for a closer, it's a lot like trying to acquire a shortstop — it's a premium position and most teams don't carry an excess," Colletti said from the All-Star Game in New York.

Manager Joe Torre said Sunday that Jonathan Broxton would be the team's closer until further notice. But Torre was unsure who would take over for Broxton as setup man.

Broxton said he's ready for his new role.

"I just look at it like it's the eighth inning. I come out and get outs," Broxton said. "It's no different for me."

Broxton has a fastball approaching 100 mph, a 2-2 record and a 3.40 ERA. He has 46 strikeouts in 39·innings.

Saito, an All-Star last year, saw his ninth-inning stint Saturday night against Florida cut short because of tightness in the elbow.

His situation only clouds the picture for the Dodgers, who have suffered injuries to several key players already this season. Names on the disabled list have included starting pitchers Brad Penny and Jason Schmidt, shortstop Rafael Furcal and left fielder Juan Pierre.