Surgery May Force Ken Forsch to Retire

The pitching career of Angel right-hander Ken Forsch seemed in jeopardy Wednesday after Drs. Lewis Yocum and Frank Jobe removed a large bone spur from Forsch’s right elbow at Centinela Hospital Medical Center in Inglewood.

Yocum told an Angel spokesman that Forsch, who missed all of last season after dislocating his right shoulder in his second start, will not be able to throw until December. Forsch, 38, has been on the disabled list because of an inflamed elbow ligament since the start of the season.

“To have this happen after the way Kenny came back from the shoulder problem is a damn shame,” Manager Gene Mauch said. “I was hoping against it, but I anticipated it being serious. When a man has tears come to his eyes simply by rotating his elbow, you have a pretty good idea of what kind of anguish he’s in.”

Forsch’s contract will expire in October. He has a 14-year record of 114-112.