VERO BEACH, Fla. -- The Dodgers rewarded All-Star closer Takashi Saito on Wednesday with a one-year contract for $2 million, plus another $200,000 in performance bonuses.

Saito, who turns 38 on Thursday, had 39 saves (in 43 opportunities) and a 1.40 ERA in his second Major League season after 14 years in Japan. Although he has filled in remarkably as the replacement to Eric Gagne, as a second-year player Saito was not eligible for free agency or arbitration and had no leverage short of going home.

Saito earned $1.2 million last year in salary and bonuses. After the season, he helped the Dodgers recruit fellow Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who signed a three-year, $35.3 million contract. By contrast, Saito came to the Dodgers in 2006 on a Minor League contract and didn't even make the club out of his first Spring Training, initially reporting to Triple-A Las Vegas.

"It doesn't bother me at all," Saito said of baseball's salary system, that heaps guaranteed riches on a Japanese player in Kuroda's position, but requires someone like Saito to earn his way each season. "Kuroda was a superstar in Japan and his pay is based on that. I worked my way up from the Minor Leagues and got a chance to produce the numbers I have and finally got to this point.

"They've always treated me fairly in regards to contract negotiations. At the same time, everyone has their own perceptions of how they rank me. The Dodgers are showing that by my salary."

Saito said there was no discussion of a multiyear contract in his negotiations and he would not speculate how long he wants to continue pitching.

Early birds: The Dodgers' first workout under new manager Joe Torre isn't until Friday, but among the 40-man roster veterans who have already checked in are pitchers Joe Beimel, Chad Billingsley, Yhency Brazoban, Kuroda, Esteban Loaiza, Greg Miller, Justin Orenduff, Saito, Rudy Seanez, Jason Schmidt and Eric Stults plus catcher Russell Martin. The only position player in camp from the 40-man roster is Jason Repko, who said he's fully recovered from a torn right hamstring and stress fracture of his left ankle.

Non-roster invitees in camp include pitchers Brian Falkenborg, Greg Jones, Mike Koplove, Tom Martin, Chan Ho Park, Matt Riley and Brian Shackelford, plus catchers Danny Ardoin and Rene Rivera and outfielder John-Ford Griffin.

Non-roster pitchers Fernando De La Cruz and Alfredo Simon, both from the Dominican Republic, will be delayed from reporting because of visa issues.

The Dodgers will have 63 players in big league camp from nine countries and Puerto Rico. Jeff Kent, with 16 years service and 40 years of age next month, is the dean. Outfielder Xavier Paul (23 later this month) is the youngest. The player with the longest uninterrupted service as a Dodger is Brad Penny, acquired in the Paul Lo Duca trade July 30, 2004.

Loaiza ready: The Dodgers are making no promises about the readiness of Schmidt to make the starting rotation out of Spring Training following major shoulder surgery, but Loaiza said he's ready to win the fifth spot in the rotation that Schmidt would be vying for.

"I'm ready mentally and physically," said Loaiza, who was claimed last August from Oakland while still recovering from neck and knee operations. "That wasn't the real me last year. I've worked harder than I've ever worked over the winter. I've lost weight. I'm ready to go."