Nolan Ryan's injury-plagued final season took another unpleasant turn Saturday night when the 46-year-old right-hander pulled a muscle in his left rib cage during the Texas Rangers' game against the Baltimore Orioles.
Ryan left after giving up four runs on only one hit in three innings. He said he sustained the injury while fielding a ground ball in the third inning.The severity of the injury was not immediately known.
Ryan, now in his 27th year in the majors, has said he will retire after this season. He was making his final appearance in Baltimore.
Ryan was 1-1 in two starts before undergoing surgery on April 15 to remove torn cartilage in his right knee. He returned May 7 and injured his hip that night against Kansas City. He then spent 72 days on the disabled list - the longest stint of his career - before returning July 19.
He had won three straight starts and was 4-1 since returning from the disabled list before Saturday.