TOKYO (AFP) – Former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Park Chan-Ho said Sunday he has plenty to learn as he prepares to relaunch his career at Japan’s Orix Buffaloes.

“It is a big adventure to play baseball in Japan and it is a big chance as well. I’m excited very much,” the 37-year-old South Korean veteran told a news conference in Osaka where the Pacific League club is based.

“After I played against Japan at the World Baseball Classic (WBC), I have become increasingly interested in Japanese baseball,” he was quoted as saying by Japanese media.

“I want to learn a lot here,” said Park, who in 1994 became the first South Korean player to join the US Major League.

Japan won the inaugural WBC in 2006 when South Korea finished third. They retained the title in 2009 by beating the Koreans in the final.

“I feel great pleasure and a sense of mission at the same time. My goal is to win a match first and foremost. Then I want to set my next goal,” he said.

Park has also played for the Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates.

The right-hander hurled his 124th career win last October with the Pirates to become the most successful Asian-born pitcher in US Major League history.

“At the moment, I feel the way as I felt when I moved to the United States at the age of 20. What is different is I have gained experience,” he said.

Seven seasons removed from All-Star status, right-handed reliever Mike MacDougal has signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers and received an invitation to major league spring training.

MacDougal, who turns 34 in March, reached the 2003 All-Star Game with Kansas City (though he did not play) and as recently as 2009 had a 3.60 ERA in 50 innings with Washington.

Last season, however, MacDougal allowed 15 runs and 36 baserunners in 18 2/3 innings with St. Louis, and compiled a 4.45 ERA with three minor league teams.

Since 2007, MacDougal has allowed more than 16 baserunners per nine innings in the majors. In trying to make the major league bullpen for the Dodgers, MacDougal will have competition from such righties as Jonathan Broxton, Kenley Jansen, Vicente Padilla, Matt Guerrier, Ronald Belisario, Blake Hawksworth and Ramon Troncoso.

Jon Weisman is a regular contributor to ESPNLosAngeles.com.

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 26 (UPI) — Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt might have to become business partners with his ex-wife to keep ownership of the team, her divorce attorneys say.

Jamie McCourt is claiming co-ownership of the ball club based on the decision by Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Gordon to throw out an agreement that would have granted her husband sole ownership of the National League team, the Los Angeles Times reported Wednesday.

Frank McCourt’s attorneys deny Jamie McCourt’s claim, saying Gordon’s decision was limited to the validity of the agreement and that Frank McCourt would continue to own and operate the team until such time as another trial determines whether the team is community property.

Dennis Wasser, a lawyer for Jamie McCourt, said the McCourts might have to agree to work together as co-owners, perhaps with additional investors, to keep the Dodgers in the family.

An attorney for Frank McCourt had previously ruled out that possibility.

“Frank does not want to become business partners with his former wife,” attorney Steve Susman said.

Published: Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 9:48 AM     Updated: Wednesday, January 26, 2011, 9:59 AM

LOS ANGELES – Former Great Lakes Loons star Jerry Sands had a breakthrough season for the Loons in the first half of the 2010 season before a promotion to Double A.

He continued to hit in Double A and was named the Los Angeles Dodgers Minor League Player of the Year. Sands was invited to the Los Angeles Dodgers training camp this spring and will vie for a spot on the roster.

John Parker of milb.com tracked down Sands to ask him 10 questions, including his choice of at-bat music.

milb.com: You played mostly first base at Great Lakes and mostly in the outfield — plus one game at third base — at Chattanooga. Where do you feel most comfortable?

Sands: I was drafted as an outfielder and am probably most comfortable there, just because that’s where I’ve played the most. I’m feeling more comfortable in the infield, though. I’ve been working on getting the footwork right and everything — it feels more natural all the time. It’s a good challenge.