Busan: In the midst of a tight battle for a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason spot, the Lotte Giants announced Monday their ace Alec Gamboa will miss his next scheduled start this week due to elbow discomfort. The Giants said Gamboa, who had been set to face the Samsung Lions on Tuesday, will be replaced by Park Jin instead.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the American left-hander had recently complained of some discomfort in his left elbow. While tests revealed no serious damage, the Giants will monitor Gamboa's arm for the next few days. "He will not be available for the two-game series against the Lions for Tuesday and Wednesday," the Giants said. "Depending on how he feels, he could take the mound on the weekend. If not, we will have to wait until next week."
Gamboa has been the Giants' top starter since replacing injured Charlie Barnes in late May. Following a shaky Korean debut on May 27, Gamboa went a perfect 5-0 with a 1.72 ERA in June and earned the KBO Player of the Month honor. He pitched to a 1.46 ERA in four July starts, as the Giants kept themselves in the top three in the standings.
However, Gamboa has lost his past four decisions since the start of August, while the Giants have fallen to sixth place. Gamboa has a 3.92 ERA over his past seven outings. He had his shortest start of the season last Wednesday, lasting only four innings and giving up a season-high eight runs - five unearned - on eight hits against the Hanwha Eagles.