2 struggling foreign pitchers released

The Kia Tigers and the Samsung Lions in the top domestic baseball league have each released a struggling foreign pitcher, the teams announced.

The Tigers said they have released their American right-hander Anthony Lerew. The Lions have parted ways with Aneury Rodriguez, a right-hander from the Dominican Republic.

Before the Tigers’ game against the LG Twins, Tigers’ manager Sun Dong-yol told reporters the team had waived Lerew.

Lerew has had an up-and-down season as the team’s closer. He has collected 20 saves, tied for the second-most in the league, but had an ERA of 4.50 in 36 innings.

The 30-year-old also had four blown saves, tied with two others for most in the KBO.

Lerew took losses in two straight appearances, giving up three earned runs in 2/3 of an inning on June 28 against the Samsung Lions and allowing one earned run in 2/3 of an inning against the SK Wyverns on July 3.

Two days later, the Tigers demoted him to the team’s minor league affiliate and tried to turn him into a starter.

About an hour after the Tigers’ move was announced, the Lions said they waived Rodriguez.

Team officials said they discovered a bone spur in his right elbow.

In his first KBO season, the 25-year-old went 3-5 with a 4.40 ERA in 11 appearances. He was demoted to the minors for the second time this season on July 4. (Yonhap News)