Texas Rangers: Chan Ho Park is headed back to the disabled list Sunday, the latest setback for a pitcher who has been a major disappointment since signing a $65 million contract with the Rangers before last season.

One day after coming off the 15-day disabled list with a bad back, Park was sent back there with stiffness and soreness in his right rib cage area.

"What can I do? This is very frustrating,'' he said. "I just want to get ready and try again. I worked so hard to get ready.''

Park went on the disabled list April 28 with a strained lower back. He made five starts in the minors before coming back Saturday, but said he felt the injury in his side during his rehab stint.

He lasted only two innings against Montreal on Saturday, giving up four runs -- three earned -- three hits and four walks in a 5-4 loss.

Park said the injury is different from the back but might be related. He will see a doctor Tuesday when the Rangers return to Texas to find out more about the injury.

Park is 10-11 with a 6.06 ERA since signing the five-year contract with Texas in December 2001.

Minnesota Twins: Shortstop Chris Gomez will likely be sidelined two to four weeks with a knee ligament injury, based on MRI results. Surgery will be not required. He sustained the injury Friday while attempting to make a catch on ball that fell for a bloop single.

Atlanta Braves: Right-hander Paul Byrd reported no pain in his surgically repaired elbow Sunday, one day after throwing about 50 pitches off the mound.

"I've had a little bit of trouble getting used to the mound, so that was good to have a day like that,'' Byrd said. "The ball didn't go where I wanted it to, but I'm building arm strength. It felt good to throw full strength and be pain-free.''

A 17-game winner last season with Kansas City, Byrd signed with the Braves as a free agent in December. He had surgery in late April to remove bone chips from his right elbow.

Byrd hopes to be activated before the All-Star break.

St. Louis Cardinals: Closer Jason Isringhausen needed just nine pitches to complete one inning in a rehabilitation start Sunday for the Double-A Tennessee Smokies. Catcher Joe Girardi, also on a rehabilitation assignment with the Smokies, had a single and was hit by a pitch in his third start. He left the game after the seventh inning.

Isringhausen, who had offseason shoulder surgery, allowed a bloop single to Drew Niles but struck out final the two batters he faced. All nine pitches he threw were strikes. Isringhausen, 30, and Girardi have finished their scheduled rehab stints with the Smokies. The Cardinals have not announced if the players will be called up, sent to Triple-A Memphis or have their assignments extended in Double-A.

Pittsburgh Pirates: The Pirates optioned infielder Rob Mackowiak to Triple-A Nashville on Sunday after they lost to the Atlanta Braves. Mackowiak was hitting .183 in 44 games.

"It's understandable," he said. "It will be good to get some at-bats and work out some kinks." Also, right-hander Mike Lincoln started an injury rehab assignment with Nashville. He's been on the 60-day disabled list since March 31 with a bruised right shoulder.