DODGERS NOTEBOOK: INJURED KOREAN PITCHER CUT LOOSE.

Byline: Matt McHale Daily News Staff Writer

You don't know Sug Chung. Apparently the Dodgers didn't either.

In the often complicated world of international scouting, Chung, the top pitcher on the Korean national team, looked like a rising star when the Dodgers agreed to terms this winter on a $1 million signing bonus.

But a closer look reveled that Chung had a tear in the back of his shoulder. The injury was discovered after he arrived in the United States during a physical exam the Dodgers required to complete the deal.

Today, the Dodgers don't have Chung and Chung doesn't have his million. He has been granted free agency and his agent Steve Kim is trying to draw interest from the San Francisco Giants. There is a chance the Dodgers could re-sign him for far less money.

``It can be difficult to monitor players from such great distances, but these things happen here, too,'' Dodgers executive vice president Fred Claire said. ``We couldn't get the physical done there so we had to wait until he arrived here.''

The Dodgers didn't expect Chung to pitch above Single-A this season, but his story has drawn attention because Korea is one of the final frontiers of untapped baseball talent. In addition to the Dodgers' Chan Ho Park, the New York Mets have hard-throwing right-hander Jae Weong Seo, who has been impressing scouts and opposing players all spring.

``They only have been playing professional baseball there for a few years,'' Dodgers farm director Charlie Blaney said. ``It is an area that we are looking at closely.''

Easier said than done.

Chung, 24, was pitching for the national team while fulfilling a two-year military commitment. Unlike the Dodgers' Park, Chung is a finesse pitcher. He pitched with pain last year but told no one and never missed a turn in the rotation. Dodgers international scout Jim Stoeckel watched him at tournaments in Europe.

They struck a deal with Kim, who also represents Park. But before any money was paid he needed to pass a precautionary physical.

Dodgers orthopedist Frank Jobe found torn cartilage in the shoulder capsule. Chung returned to Los Angeles for a second opinion, which confirmed Jobe's findings.

Korean media reports have placed Chung's recovery time at one to two years, but Jobe is more optimistic.

``We suspected something by a certain looseness in his delivery,'' Jobe said. ``Because he kept pitching and pitching well, there was no cause for alarm until we examined him. There is a chance he might never need surgery.''

Hall monitor: Darren Hall, expected to be an important setup man for the Dodgers, probably won't be returning to Port St. Lucie if he has anything to say. After allowing a ninth-inning, three-run homer to Bernard Gilkey on Wednesday that cut the Dodgers' lead to 7-6, he gave up a game-winning three-run homer Saturday to Tim Spehr in the eighth.

``Everybody says they are here just to get the work,'' Hall said. ``But I've got pride. Those things aren't fun.''

Hall is a sinkerball pitcher but has been attempting to add a changeup. ``I handle the setup role like the closer spot. I just go after them,'' he said. ``This time they got after me.''

SPRING TRAINING '98

DODGERS

FACT: After getting rocked in his first appearance this spring, right-hander Ismael Valdes pitched three scoreless innings in Saturday's 8-6 loss to the New York Mets. Valdes has pitched poorly the past two springs but has looked impressive pitching batting practice. ``I am not worried about the spring,'' he said. ``You have to be patient and have confidence in your ability.''

NOTES: Don Sutton, the Dodgers' newest Hall of Famer, arrived in camp Saturday night and will be honored today. The Dodgers rename a street at the spring-training base when players enter the Hall of Fame. Spanish-language broadcaster Jaime Jarrin, who also will be inducted July 26 in Cooperstown, will be honored here next week. . . . Eric Karros, who is receiving treatment for a tender left knee, hit his second home run of the spring. Matt Luke, who replaced Karros for two games last week, hit a two-run homer in the seventh. Karros' drive came off left-hander Bill Pulsipher, who pitched four innings in his comeback from major elbow surgery. Luke hit his against right-hander Paul Wilson, who missed all of last year after undergoing surgery to his right shoulder.

QUOTE: ``Coming back here where it all began may be the greatest feeling I've had during all of this,'' said Sutton, who won 324 games in a career that began with the Dodgers in 1966.

-- Matt McHale

ANGELS

FACT: Team orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum said Saturday catcher Todd Greene (offseason shoulder surgery) will not be ready for the start of the season and it is likely second baseman Randy Velarde (elbow inflammation) also will be out. ``That's what we're preparing for, absolutely,'' manager Terry Collins said. ``We've got to go to Plan B.'' Matt Walbeck will start the season as the No. 1 catcher if Greene is out, with Phil Nevin, who has been working out behind the plate, backing him up. Norberto Martin will be the second baseman until Velarde returns.

NOTES: Mark Langston, who spent the past seven seasons with the Angels, made his first start for the San Diego Padres - against the Angels. He allowed three hits and one run in three innings as the Padres beat the Angels 8-4 in a split-squad game at Peoria, Ariz. . . . In Las Vegas, the other Angels squad lost to the Giants 2-0, but Ken Hill, Troy Percival and Rich DeLucia pitched well.

QUOTE: ``It's not the easiest assignment in the world, getting your first start against your former team. That first at-bat against Timmy (Salmon, who walked), I don't think I came close to a strike,'' said ex-Angel Langston.

-- Daily News Wire Services

CAPTION(S):

Photo, Box

PHOTO DARREN HALL

The Dodgers reliever gave up a game-winning three-run home run to Tim Spehr in the eighth Saturday.

BOX: SPRING TRAINING '98 (see text)