Pitcher Park Chan-ho Set to Return Soon

New York Yankees pitcher Park Chan-ho, who is on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring, is preparing to begin pitching again.

He pitched in an extended spring training game Thursday in Tampa, retiring three batters in one inning and allowing one hit.

Park was placed on the 15-day disabled list April 17 due to muscle pain in his right thigh. He wanted to begin pitching late last month, but prolonged treatment prevented him from doing so.

He checked his condition through pitching in games Saturday and Thursday. In the latter game, Park threw 45 pitches.

The Yankees await Park’s return to the bullpen. Joba Chamberlain is serving as a setup man for reliever Mariano Rivera, who is out with an injury. New York will decide on Park’s return after a thorough check of his condition.

uni@donga.com