Park won't return from back injury

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) -- Rangers right-hander Chan Ho Park will miss the rest of the season with a back injury, another setback for the pitcher since signing a $65 million contract with Texas before last season.

Dr. Yamil Kleen examined Park on Friday and recommended he stop throwing the rest of the season because of muscular and nerve weakness in his back.

Park will meet with Kleen again in October. And he will begin a throwing program soon after to get ready for the 2004 season.

"He's made improvements in a lot of areas," Texas head trainer Jamie Reed said. "But there are still some areas of concern. The doctor recommended that he not throw the rest of the season and prepare for spring training."

Park first went on the disabled list April 28 with a strained lower back. In his first start after coming off the DL, he lasted only two innings against Montreal on June 7, giving up four runs in a 5-4 loss.

A day later Park went back on the DL with a rib cage injury.

Texas manager Buck Showalter said getting Park back healthy in 2004 would be a welcome addition to his pitching staff.

"If we thought we could get a healthy and capable Chan Ho, we'd love to get that back today," Showalter said. "I'm glad to hear there are some improvements."

From 1996-2001 with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Park was never on the disabled list and won 80 games in that span.

Since joining Rangers last season in 2002, Park has been a dissapointment.

He is 1-3 with a 7.58 ERA in seven starts this season, giving up 34 hits and 26 runs over 29 2-3 innings.

Last year he went 9-8 with a 5.75 ERA, and also spent two stints on the DL -- nearly two months -- with a hamstring injury and a blister on a finger on his pitching hand.

 

Related information

Stories

John Donovan: Only Palmeiro understands his decision

Multimedia

Visit Video Plus for the latest audio and video