Search
Close this search box.
Twins Manager Exercises Caution with Injured Pitcher Ahead of Korean Series

Seoul: With his presumed No. 2 starter Yonny Chirinos sidelined during the South Korean baseball championship series, LG Twins manager Youm Kyoung-youb said Monday he will be patient with the pitcher's recovery.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Chirinos had been set to start Game 2 of the Korean Series against the Hanwha Eagles on Monday at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. But after winning the series opener 8-2 on Sunday, Youm announced Chirinos will be pushed back after suffering a spasm on his side the previous night.

At best, Chirinos could start Game 3 of the best-of-seven series on Wednesday, Youm said. "That'd be the best-case scenario for us," Youm told reporters in his media availability prior to Game 2, adding that Chirinos was receiving treatment Monday afternoon and he had no further update on the pitcher's condition. "If he can't go, we won't rush him back. I want to make sure he is fully recovered," the manager added.

Chirinos, a former big league pitcher, signed with the Twins in November last year and was their Opening Day starter in March. He went 13-6 with a 3.31 ERA in 30 starts, and had strong numbers against the Eagles, with a 1.40 ERA in three meetings with 16 strikeouts against four walks in 19 1/3 innings.

Left-hander Son Ju-young will likely be Game 3 starter for the Twins if Chirinos is unavailable, Youm said. Son posted a 1.38 ERA in two regular-season meetings against the Eagles.

Youm is sticking to the same lineup that produced eight runs on seven hits in Sunday's win. Six left-handed batters will go up against lefty starter Ryu Hyun-jin. "He tends to throw a lot of fastballs against left-handed hitters," Youm said. "So we have to swing early in the count before getting to two strikes and put his fastballs in play."

ADVERTISEMENT