SP Park Looking Forward to Playoffs

On the disabled list due to intestinal bleeding which required surgery, Park Chan-ho (33, San Diego Padres) might have a chance to pitch in the postseason for the first time in his Major League career, at least as a relief pitcher, if his team advances to the playoffs.

During an interview with the San Diego Union Tribune, a local newspaper, Bruce Bochy, the manager of the team, expressed his intention to use Park as a relief pitcher once his team reaches the playoffs. “Park won`t have the stamina to handle starting duty,” Bochy said, “but he could become strong enough to help as a reliever.” He said that he was very impressed by Park’s relief work in the World Baseball Classic and was intrigued with having Park pour his energy into shorter outings. As a closer, Park had three saves during the WBC tournament.

If everything goes according to the manager’s plan, Park Chan-ho, although with his duty altered from a starter to a relief pitcher, might appear on the mound in the playoffs, the stage he eagerly desired to step on since his debut in the Major Leagues in 1994. Park has had two chances to throw in postseason so far, once in 1996 when he was wearing the jerseys of the L.A. Dodgers and again last year with the Padres. But he had no chance to take the mound in 1996, and was dropped from the team’s postseason roster last year.

Through a message posted on his personal website, Park said, “If I can get back into action before the end of this season, I think starting would be too much for me to handle. I’m expecting to pitch in relief and am preparing for that.”

As of September 20, with 79 wins and 71 losses, San Diego is currently leading the National League West Division.

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