Phillies close to signing Chan Ho Park

Phillies close to signing Chan Ho Park

LAS VEGAS – Free-agent pitcher Chan Ho Park, who resurrected his career with a solid year as a Dodger middle reliever, is close to signing with the Philadelphia Phillies, a baseball source said Wednesday.

The Phillies might view Park as a starter, the source said, although the 35-year-old right-hander made only five starts last season in 54 appearances. He was 4-4 with 79 strikeouts and a 3.40 ERA in 95 1/3 innings, mostly as a setup man.

Philadelphia has a strong bullpen, with right-handers Chad Durbin and Ryan Madson setting up closer Brad Lidge. However, the Phillies need a fifth starter if they don’t re-sign left-hander Jamie Moyer. Another Phillies pitcher, Kyle Kendrick, has been mentioned in the three- or four-team trade that would send Jake Peavy from the San Diego Padres to the Chicago Cubs.

Park has been a starter for most of his 13-year career but hasn’t been especially effective in that role since 2001.