Rough times for Korean Major Leaguers

Ryu Hyun-jin of Los Angeles Dodgers/ Korea Times File

By Lee Jin-a

Could this be a curse? Most Korean baseball players who boarded a plane for Major League Baseball (MLB) in the U.S. are facing injury problems.

While Kang Jung-ho of the Pittsburgh Pirates is being investigated for allegedly raping a woman, 23, three Korean players in MLB have been placed on the disabled list by their clubs.

Kang Jung-ho of Pittsburgh Piartes/ Korea Times File

The Texas Rangers’ Choo Shin-soo was put back on the list Wednesday (local time), the third time this season. The outfielder has inflammation of his lower back and has played only 33 games out 95 this year.

Choo Shin-soo of Texas Rangers/ Yonhap

Ryu Hyun-jin of Los Angeles Dodgers was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with left elbow tendinitis, after missing 18 months following surgery to repair his left shoulder. The Dodgers said there is “really no timetable” on Ryu's return.

Kim Hyun-soo of Baltimore Orioles/ Korea Times File

Baltimore Orioles outfielder Kim Hyun-soo headed to the same list with a right hamstring injury. Kim was injured on July 10 while running to first base against the Los Angeles Angels.

Park Byung-ho of Triple-A Rochester/ Korea Times File

Meanwhile, Park Byung-ho of Triple-A Rochester is still struggling to get out of a slump after he was demoted to the minors earlier this month. In Wednesday’s game against the Durham Bulls, Park recorded no hits in four at-bats, lowering his batting average to 0.261. He is reportedly carrying a right wrist injury from spring training.