Texas Rangers right-hander Hideki Irabu may not return to the mound until next season due to blood clots in his lungs, a Texas local paper said in its online edition Saturday.
The Fortworth Star Telegram said Irabu, who was hospitalized and placed on the disabled list earlier this week after small blood clots were discovered in the arteries of his lungs, left the Kansas City hospital Friday after receiving treatment.
"He could be on blood-thinning medication for the next six to eight weeks and that could keep him from pitching again this season," the article said.
The newspaper quoted Rangers general manager John Hart as saying, "I don't know if throwing 60 feet, 6 inches is the right thing to do for a guy taking blood thinners"
Irabu, a 33-year-old right-hander, complained of chest pains and shortness of breath early Monday morning in a hotel during a road trip to Kansas City and was accompanied by a team trainer to a Missouri hospital, where he underwent emergency treatment.
He opted against flying back to Texas to receive further treatment a day later when told his symptoms are similar to that of the "economy class syndrome" and spent the next few days resting.
Irabu currently leads the Rangers with 16 saves. He has a 3-8 record with a 5.74 ERA this season. His latest appearance was on July 12, when he took the loss against the Minnesota Twins after giving up the winning run in the 11th inning.