Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun shuffled to bullpen for next spring outing
SEOUL, March 5 (Yonhap) -- Instead of making his second spring training start this week as scheduled, St. Louis Cardinals' Kim Kwang-hyun will pitch out of the bullpen.
Following a game against the New York Mets in Port St. Lucie, Florida, on Wednesday (local time), Cardinals' manager Mike Shildt told reporters that Kim will go two innings in relief against the same Mets on Thursday in Jupiter, Florida. Kim will follow starter Adam Wainwright, who's scheduled to go four innings.
The first pitch at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium is 1:05 p.m. Thursday locally, and 3:05 a.m. Friday in South Korea.
The last-minute change adds another wrinkle to Kim's week. He was originally scheduled to start Monday against the Minnesota Twins but was scratched because of mild groin soreness. He had a successful bullpen session that day, and the Cardinals had him lined up to start Thursday, only to move him to a relief role.
Kim, who signed with the Cardinals in December after 13 years with the SK Wyverns in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), has made two spring training appearances so far -- one in relief and one in a start. He has struck out five and walked one in three scoreless innings. His previous outing, a start against the Miami Marlins, was on Feb. 26.
Kim is battling for one of two rotation spots to start the regular season. But the career starter in the KBO has also expressed willingness to pitch out of the bullpen and could get some looks as a reliever, given the absence of veteran lefty Andrew Miller.
Miller is dealing with a mysterious ailment that, despite a lack of accompanying pain, has kept him from getting a feel for the ball in his hand.
But Shildt insisted Kim's upcoming relief appearance is not related to Miller's unavailability.
"It could potentially open up a spot that Kim could take. But I don't think that it's because Miller is out that Kim goes in," the manager said. "Kim still is being viewed as a starter. You're talking about a guy with 190 innings last year (in the KBO). He can ramp up."
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
-
N.K. leader declares victory in fight against COVID-19: state media
-
(News Focus) Samsung's Lee expected to solidify leadership, step up biz activities after receiving pardon
-
S. Korea expresses deep regret over Japanese PM's offering to war shrine
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
(LEAD) Bill Gates calls for S. Korea to play leading role in global health cooperation
-
(2nd LD) Samsung heir Lee granted special presidential pardon
-
(News Focus) Samsung's Lee expected to solidify leadership, step up biz activities after receiving pardon
-
(LEAD) Yoon pledges to improve ties with Japan, offers economic aid in exchange for N.K. denuclearization
-
(3rd LD) THAAD issue not subject to negotiation: presidential office
-
Today in Korean history
-
(LEAD) N. Korea fires two cruise missiles toward Yellow Sea: S. Korean official
-
N. Korea fires two cruise missiles missile toward Yellow Sea: S. Korean official
-
(LEAD) S. Korea's new COVID-19 cases soar to 4-month high of over 180,000
-
(Yonhap Interview) Chinese ambassador says no Beijing-Seoul 'decoupling,' warns of impact from U.S.-led groups
-
(LEAD) Gov't to supply 2.7 mln homes in next 5 years