Park Chan-Ho’s `Serious` Thigh-Injury

He said, “It’s okay”, but it really is not.

Park Chan-Ho (29. Texas Rangers), who is suffering from thigh-injury, is to be on the `Disabled List` for the first time in his 9 year-career in the U.S. Major League. Park went through a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) test in Oakland on the 4th, and cancelled the scheduled bullpen pitching.

The MRI film was sent to Texas’ team doctor, John Conway, and the results are to come on the 5th. “The injury is more serious than expected. We’ll wait for the results, then the decision for his pitching on the 7th will be decided,” said manager Jerry Narron. Park is scheduled to be the start-up pitcher in the home-match with Anaheim Angels on the 7th.

However, Narron expressed his will not to put any pressure on him by saying, “It’s better to rest for a couple of games than to miss 10 to 20 games later.” For now, start-up on the 7th seems difficult. If Park’s pitching cancels, Narron will turn to Japanese pitcher Irabu Hideki for replacement.

After hurting his right thigh during the practice match with Minnesota Twins on the 28th, last month, Park still showed discomfort in the thigh during the Major League opening match with Oakland Athletics on the 2nd. Although he said he is `okay` in the press interview held after becoming a losing pitcher with 9 hits and 6 loss points in 5 innings, he complained to the coach about the pain.

Park had no experience of injury ever since his joining at LA Dodgers in 1994, but side effects from last year’s waist injury are still influencing him in this season.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com