Lotte's Adduci exits KBO after drugs bust
Jim Charles Adduci
By Ko Dong-hwan
Lotte Giants outfielder Jim Charles Adduci has left the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) after being banned for 36 games for illegal drug use.
The Canadian, 31, left Korea on Sunday after a Korea Anti-Doping Agency test revealed the banned substance oxycodon in his system.
The substance was an ingredient in medicine delivered from the U.S. for Adduci, who has chronic lumbar disc disease.
The KBO banned Adduci on July 1 and the Giants put him on waivers the same day.
“I didn’t know the substance was banned until the KADA informed me,” Adduci said in a letter of explanation to the KADA.
He said he intended only to treat his back pain, and because the medicine was not a steroid or hormonal variance, he believed it was safe to use.
He said he accepted the KBO’s decision and wanted to apologize to the league, his fans and teammates.
Adduci visited Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on Saturday to say goodbye to his former club’s head coach, Jo Won-woo.
“He apologized to me for causing trouble in the club,” Jo said, according to media reports.
“He has a good heart and talent. I hope his professional career can continue for a long time in the U.S.”
Signing with Giants in 2015, Adduci played 132 games, posting a .314 batting average, 28 home runs and 24 steals.
His performance led to a second contract, but health problems contributed to a .291 batting average and seven home runs in 64 games.