KBO saves leader out for Lions' postseason series due to injury

SEOUL, Oct. 24 (Yonhap) -- Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) leaders announced that their star closer Kim Jae-yoon will be absent from the team's upcoming postseason series due to an upper body injury. The Lions disclosed that Kim, who recorded 35 saves throughout the regular season, has been diagnosed with a minor tear in his right serratus anterior muscle, a muscle commonly known as the boxer's muscle.

This muscle runs along the side and front of the rib cage, beneath the shoulder blade. The Lions stated that Kim will require approximately two weeks of rest, which will disqualify him from the Lions' postseason series against the Kia Tigers, which commences on Sunday. If the best-of-five series extends to a deciding game, that match is set for next Saturday.

The injury may keep Kim from participating in the Korean Series, should the Lions manage to eliminate the Tigers and advance to the championship round, which is scheduled to commence on Nov. 2. The Lions boasted the second-lowest bullpen ERA in the regular season, standing at 4.23.