It’s Probably Over for Bo : Baseball: Jackson is expected to undergo a hip replacement, which would endanger his pro career.

Bo Jackson appears to be finished with baseball at 29.

The Chicago White Sox’s designated hitter didn’t announce his retirement Tuesday, but did say that he will have surgery for the hip injury that has forced him to give up his career with the Raiders.

Jackson, meeting with reporters at the White Sox training camp in Sarasota, Fla., said he favored a hip replacement, which virtually would eliminate any possibility of his return, according to medical experts. But there is also the possibility of a much simpler arthroscopic process to remove bone chips.

However, Jackson said it is unlikely that arthroscopic surgery would correct his limp or alleviate the pain.

“I’ve been able to hide the pain well, but I can’t deny it,” he said. “My main thing is that I want to spend the rest of my life pain-free. I want to do things normal dads do. I want to be able to play with my kids.”

Jackson said doctors are studying the options and that the surgery, of whatever type, would be performed in late summer after his wife, Linda, graduates from Auburn.

White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf said doctors have told him that “the odds are long” against Jackson’s return with a hip replacement. “It’s in the hands of a higher authority,” Reinsdorf said.

“Realistically, yesterday could have been my last at-bat in the major leagues,” Jackson said of a single against the Baltimore Orioles during an exhibition Monday. “I know that. . . . My main objective is to get rid of the nagging pain and get rid of the limp.

“I feel like myself except for my running. I mean, if you can’t run, you can’t play. My left leg has gone from being an eighth of an inch shorter last year to a half-inch shorter now.”

Jackson, who had four hits in seven spring at-bats, added: “I’ve always prided myself on doing things people say I can’t do, so I’m hoping that if anyone can do this (play with a hip replacement), Bo Jackson can.”

Jackson suffered the injury during a Raider playoff game in January of 1991 and was released by the Kansas City Royals last March. Although the Royals’ medical staff said the injury would prove to be degenerative, he signed with the White Sox in April, spent almost five months in rehabilitation, returned to play several minor league games in August, then batted .225 in 71 at-bats with Chicago in September.

Since then, General Manager Ron Schueler said Tuesday, “It’s gone backward, but what’s amazing is, he’s made so many adjustments that his swing has gotten better in the past year.

“If it were anybody else, his future would be bleak, but he’s already come back once when no one thought he could, so I’m not ruling it out. He refuses to say no. He’s covered up the pain of the last four months, but he’s gone through hell.”

The White Sox had faced a deadline of Sunday for deciding whether to pick up Jackson’s 1992 contract at $910,000, plus $10,000 for every game in which he remained available to play--up to 150 games.

In a procedure suggested by Jackson to eliminate the deadline and allow the White Sox to rewrite the contract at a lesser figure, Jackson was put on outright waivers Friday. He cleared waivers Tuesday, refused the White Sox’s assignment to their triple-A farm club at Vancouver, Canada, and was re-signed as a free agent for the 1992 season at $109,000, the major league minimum.

He will be paid that whether he plays or not. The White Sox also hold options for 1993 and ’94 at the previous figure of $910,000. Arn Tellem, Jackson’s agent, said Jackson’s existing endorsement contracts will not be jeopardized.

An emotional Jackson said he would make Chicago his home for the next three years at least. He said he has been humbled by the injury and had been taking too many things for granted.

“I’ve learned to appreciate the simple things, like getting in and out of a truck, going up stairs. I feel that God picked me out to be this kind of athlete and now he’s picked me out again and is saying, ‘Get your feet on the ground.’ ”

Asked how he would advise an athlete with the ability to play two professional sports, he said: “Go for it. I mean, I have no regrets. I’ve had a great run.”

The loss of Jackson is a serious one for the White Sox, who had hoped he would be able to bat fifth, protecting cleanup hitter Frank Thomas.

Chicago’s problem was compounded by a trade Tuesday that sent Kansas City’s Kirk Gibson to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Neal Heaton. The White Sox had voiced interest in Gibson before the trade.

White Sox sources said that among the remaining possibilities are free agent Dave Parker, Boston Red Sox outfielder Tom Brunansky and Dodger infielder/outfielder Kal Daniels.

Fred Claire, the Dodgers’ executive vice president, said he has not had any meaningful discussions with the White Sox about Daniels.