Nolan Ryan in hospital for tests on heart, will miss ceremony at Anaheim

Texas Rangers President Nolan Ryan is in a Houston hospital undergoing tests on his heart. The Rangers said in a statement Monday the 64-year-old Ryan is “resting comfortably and reports he is feeling better.” He is expected to be released from the hospital in a few days.

Ryan had a double-bypass operation in 2000. Doctors at that time also discovered another, undisclosed condition. The team’s news release said the discomfort began while he was at his home in Georgetown, Texas, on Sunday morning and “is believed to be a recurrence of the heart condition which he has previously experienced.”

Ryan had been expected to join the Rangers in Anaheim on Tuesday night for the start of a three-game series between his AL West-leading club and the Angels, who are in second place, four games back. He was scheduled to throw out the ceremonial first pitch and to take part in a ceremony inducting Gene Autry, the Angels’ late owner, into the team’s hall of fame.

The induction will go on as scheduled, the Angels announced. As for Ryan throwing out a ceremonial pitch, the Rangers are back in Anaheim for the last three games of the regular season, Sept. 26-28.

“We’re going to talk to Nolan and see how he feels,” said Tim Mead, the Angels’ vice president of communications. “It meant a lot to him to take part in the program, and that invitation will be extended to him when he’s ready and if he’s available.”

Ryan is a member of the baseball Hall of Fame, holding the records for most no-hitters (seven) and strikeouts (5,714). He’s been running the Rangers since 2008 and became part-owner last summer. Texas went to the World Series for the first time last fall.