Franco’s Career Might Be Finished

New York Met reliever John Franco will miss at least the rest of the season with an injury to his left elbow that could end his 18-year career.

Franco, who has not pitched since undergoing surgery on the elbow in December, had an MRI exam Wednesday that revealed the ligament and tendon injury.

Franco, 41, was brought to tears when he was given the news before the Mets’ game Wednesday night against the San Francisco Giants.

General Manager Steve Phillips advised Franco to take some time before deciding whether to undergo the operation or end his career.

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Seattle Mariner reliever Jeff Nelson was put on the 15-day disabled list because of bone chips in his right elbow. Nelson will undergo surgery Friday and miss four to six weeks.... The Texas Rangers put outfielder Carl Everett on the 15-day disabled list because of a calf injury. The team also announced that right-hander Chan Ho Park will be activated from the disabled list to pitch Sunday against Detroit.... Milwaukee Brewer right-hander Nelson Figueroa was put on the 15-day disabled because of a twisted right ankle.... The Chicago Cubs put left-handed reliever Donovan Osborne on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained muscle.... The Montreal Expos purchased outfielder Troy O’Leary’s contract from triple-A Ottawa and outrighted outfielder Henry Rodriguez.

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Darryl Strawberry has started serving his 18-month prison sentence for violating probation, and officials are considering putting him in a substance abuse program. The former baseball star arrived Tuesday at Gainesville Correctional Institution, and Florida’s prison system set a tentative release date for June 29, 2003.