KBO clubs shutting down key pitchers as All-Star break nears
With the end of the first half in the Korean baseball season around the corner, clubs have decided to give their ailing pitchers extra rest starting this week. The LG Twins, tops in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with a record of 50-30-0 (wins-losses-ties), will keep left-hander Song Seung-ki on the injured list for an additional two weeks. Manager Youm Kyoung-youb said Thursday that Song, who had been expected to return from back spasms next Tuesday, will instead take the mound after the July 10-15 All-Star break. Song led all rookies last year with 11 wins and a 3.50 ERA. He was also selected for the Korean national team at the World Baseball Classic, and posted an excellent 1.42 ERA across his first five starts of this season. Things took a sudden turn for the worse for Song in May, though. He endured a stretch in which he allowed 18 earned runs in just 16 2/3 innings, as his ERA jumped to 4.71. Song tossed 5 1/3 shutout innings on May 30 but then was roughed up for six runs on nine hits, including two home runs, in two innings on June 7. He hit the sidelines the next day, with
