Ailing Eric Show Not Expected Back This Season

Eric Show, the San Diego Padres’ career leader in victories, probably will not pitch again this season after having back surgery for a disc problem, Manager Jack McKeon said.

Show, 94-79 in seven-plus years with the Padres, underwent surgery Wednesday night at a Scripps Clinic hospital in La Jolla. Dr. Roger Thorne operated on the fifth disc in the lumbar region of Show’s lower back, said Padres spokesman Bill Beck.

Doctors diagnosed Show last month as having a bulging disc, which resulted in a pinched nerve that has kept him on the disabled list since July 6. Anti-inflammatory medication and rest failed to correct the problem.

“He didn’t get any better, and after getting several opinions, he then decided to go ahead with the operation,” Beck said.

Although Show might be ready to throw again within six weeks, McKeon said Wednesday night that it is unlikely that the right-hander will pitch again this season.

Show, 33, is 8-6 with 66 strikeouts and a 4.23 earned run average in 16 starts this year. He last pitched June 25 against San Francisco, giving up seven hits and five runs in three innings.

Show, whose entire major league career has been with San Diego, is coming off his best season in 1988, when he completed 13 games en route to a 16-11 record.