An Interview With Chan Ho Park

“I`m looking forward to having my best season this year.”

Chan Ho Park (32) of Major League Baseball’s Texas Rangers showed confidence about his comeback on March 2 during an interview with MLB.com, the league’s official website.

“My main problem was injury. This year, I feel strong,” Park said from the Rangers’ spring training complex in Surprise, Arizona. “We have a good team and I think we`ll have a good season this year, so I want to be part of that.”

Texas has Kenny Rogers and Ryan Drese at the head of its rotation, and Park, Pedro Astacio, Ricardo Rodriguez, Chris Young, and Juan Dominguez are competing for the team’s remaining rotation slots.

MLB.com said Park’s Texas worksheet over three years since the five-year, $65 million deal he signed with Texas showed only a 14-18 record and a 5.85 ERA, and that if he struggled this spring, the Rangers would have a tough decision to make. This means the team could release Park to give opportunities to young pitchers and absorb the last two years and $29 million of Park`s contract.

“He pitched some good games, but what we`re looking for is consistency," manager Buck Showalter said. “His body has to feel right so that he has his good fastball and good fastball command,” Texas catcher Rod Barajas said. “He seems to have that going for him right now, and we expect him to be a big part of the rotation.”

Chan Ho Park takes the mound as the starting pitcher on March 5 in an exhibition game against the Kansas City Royals.

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com