KBO-leading Tigers lose starter Lee Eui-lee to season-ending elbow surgery

The Kia Tigers announced Sunday their left-handed starter Lee Eui-lee will soon undergo a season-ending elbow

operation.

The Tigers, currently in first place in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), have now lost two starting pitches to elbow

injuries. They announced Friday that their American ace Wil Crowe would have elbow reconstructive surgery, commonly

known as Tommy John surgery. The procedure typically requires at least a year of recovery and rehab.

Lee, 21, has made only four appearances this season. He was placed on the injured list with elbow issues on April 11, a day

after lasting only 1 1/3 innings against the LG Twins. Lee only returned until May 29 but allowed three runs on four hits,

including two home runs, in three innings against the NC 합법 Dinos in what turned out to be his final outing of 2024.

According to the Tigers, Lee went through multiple tests Friday and Saturday. Doctors identified partial damage to his

ulnar collateral ligament, and told the pitcher he could either take an injection and rehab, or have surgery.

The team and the pitcher agreed on the surgery, which the Tigers said will be scheduled in the coming days. In addition to

repairing his elbow ligament, Lee will also have an operation to remove bone fragments in his arm, the Tigers said.

Lee finished his fourth season with a 1-0 record and a 5.40 ERA over 13 1/3 innings.

Prior to Sunday's game, the Tigers had the best starting pitching ERA in the KBO at 3.58. No other team had an ERA

below 4.00 by their starting rotation.

KBO-LEADING TIGERS LOSE STARTER LEE EUI-LEE TO SEASON-ENDING ELBOW SURGERY