Kim Kwang-hyun heads to mound for Cardinals

St. Louis Cardinals' pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun will make his first MLB start this week against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team's manager said last Friday.

In a video interview with local media, Cardinals' manager Mike Shildt said the Korean left-hander will start the second match of the three-game series against the Pirates on Tuesday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

"KK on Tuesday," he said, while naming his five starting pitchers for the upcoming games. KK is Kim's nickname.

On the same day, the Toronto Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin is scheduled to take on the Miami Marlins at Sahlen Field in Buffalo.

Kim, who joined the Cardinals from this season on a two-year contract, started his first MLB season as the closer and earned a save on July 24 against the Pirates.

He has been included in the five-man starting rotation as the team has been struggling with injuries and Covid-19 infections.

Last week, starter Miles Mikolas was ruled out for the season after suffering a torn flexor tendon. Seven players, including catcher Yadier Molina, were sidelined by positive coronavirus tests.

Having missed seven regular season games since July 31 due to the Covid-19 outbreak, they will play 21 games in the next 20 days in a new schedule update announced by the MLB.

Yonhap