In this file photo from Aug. 18, 2024, Kia Tigers starter James Naile pitches against the LG Twins during a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yonhap) SEOUL, Sept.
20 (Korea Bizwire) — As he works his way back after getting struck in the face by a line drive, Kia Tigers ace James Naile thinks he will face an even bigger mental hurdle than a physical one. The American right-hander suffered a broken jaw after a comebacker off the bat of NC Dinos slugger Matt Davidson hit him on Aug. 24.
Naile has been ruled out of the rest of the regular season, and he is now trying to return in time for the Korean Series, which will start in late October. The Tigers grabbed a direct berth in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) championship series after clinching the best regular-season record Tuesday. This has bought Naile a few extra weeks to continue his rehab from the frightening injury, without the Tigers needing him in early rounds of the postseason.
Naile, who was tied for first in the league with 12 wins and second with a 2.53 ERA at the time of his injury, is healthy enough that he has been traveling with the Tigers for road games lately. He even tossed a ceremonial first pitch before a home game in Gwangju, some 270 kilometers south of Seoul, on Sept.
6, after taking the mound wearing a mask and sunglasses to disguise himself. In an interview with Yonhap News Agency before Thursday’s game against the Doosan Bea.