By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
LG Twins lefty ace Bong Jung-keun has been shut down for the rest of the season.
With the Twins eliminated from playoff contention, manager Kim Jae-park and pitching coach Kim Yong-soo have decided he will skip his final start against the league-leading Kia Tigers on Friday.
"The pain in my left elbow and right thigh is not bad enough for me not to pitch. But if I finish the season with a bad game, that could carry over until next season. So I agreed with them," Bong said.
The pitcher has been hampered for most of the second half by the nagging ailments which have worn him down.
"In the beginning of the season, I thought my physical strength was good. However, I felt my fastball was losing power and there was left movement on my breaking ball at the end of the season," added Bong.
The ace had hoped to set a career high in innings pitched this season but is still somewhat satisfied with the season he had.
"I don't feel any inconvenience about failing to set a personal record. Though I won only 11 games, my pitches were good. Next year I hope I can get more than 15 victories," added Bong.
But the Twins are taking criticism that the decision could affect the pennant race.
Bong's absence is good news for the Tigers, who are trying to hang on to first place, and not so good news for the second-place Wyverns, who are in hot pursuit.
Wyverns' manager Kim Sung-keun criticized the Twins for shutting down their ace.
"Look at the bottom dog Hanwha Eagles. They are doing their best, even if it doesn't change the result of this season. We are professional, we have to do our best every time," Kim said
"Especially the players who have high salaries, they have more responsibility. They have to do their best until the season ends," the manager added.
Twins lefty ace Bong pitched 172 1/3 innings in 26 appearances with an 11-12 record, 127 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA.
He will try to add to his repertoire over the winter.
"I am learning to throw a slider from some pitchers who can throw good sliders, like Jun Byung-doo of the SK Wyverns. I think that being able to add a slider as an option will be a good thing for me."