Tigers starter James Naile out indefinitely with fractured jaw

The Kia Tigers announced Sunday that pitcher James Naile is out indefinitely after suffering a broken jaw during a game against the NC Dinos in Changwon, South Gyeongsang on Saturday.

James Naile

The Kia Tigers announced Sunday that pitcher James Naile is out indefinitely after suffering a broken jaw during a game against the NC Dinos in Changwon, South Gyeongsang on Saturday.

Naile was struck in the face by a line drive off Matt Davidson in the bottom of the sixth on Saturday, immediately exiting the field while clutching his face. Davidson appeared visibly upset and was pulled for a pinch runner.

Naile joined the league-leading Tigers this season and has got off to a fast start in the KBO. Carrying a 2.53 ERA across 26 outings, Naile has recorded 12 wins and five losses to tie for the winningest pitcher in the league this season.

His ERA and winning percentage are good enough for second place in the KBO, and he ranks seventh with 138 strikeouts on the season.

One of those wins comes from Saturday, when the Tigers still managed to edge out the Dinos, 2-0.

Naile’s absence could prove devastating for the Tigers, who are in the middle of one of the best seasons in the club’s recent history. With a confident lead on the table — 6.5 games over the second-place Samsung Lions and 7.5 over the reigning champion LG Twins — the Tigers are on track to take the pennant and a direct ticket to the Korean Series.

Once there, history is firmly on the Tigers’ side. Historically the most successful team in the KBO, the Tigers have been to the Korean Series 11 times and won every single one.

Naile was scheduled to undergo surgery on Sunday morning, according to the Tigers. As of press time, no further information was available on his condition or a possible timeline for this return.

Jaw fractures typically take 4-6 weeks to recover, potentially taking Naile out for the rest of the season.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]