The Doosan Bears said Tuesday their Japanese pitcher Keisho Shirakawa will miss the rest of the season with elbow problems.

Shirakawa, 23, joined the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club in early July as a temporary injury replacement for Brandon Waddell. After his initial six-week deal ran out, the Bears gave Shirakawa a new 15-day contract worth 1.4 million yen (US$9,660) last Wednesday.

The right-hander would have made two more starts here, but elbow issues ruled him out for this year.

According to the Bears, Shirakawa first complained of elbow pains after his most recent start last Friday against the Hanwha Eagles, and tests done Monday revealed damage to his elbow ligament.

Shirakawa made his KBO debut with the SSG Landers on June 1, replacing injured pitcher Roenis Elias. Once Elias recovered from his oblique injury, the Landers reinstated the Cuban left-hander on July 2 and released Shirakawa, who had a 2-2 record with a 5.09 ERA in five starts for them.

The Bears then signed Shirakawa in July
with Waddell out due to a shoulder injury.

In seven starts as a Bear, Shirakawa went 2-3 with a 6.03 ERA across 34 1/3 innings.

Starting this year, KBO clubs are allowed to acquire foreign players on temporary deals when their incumbents suffer an injury that requires at least six weeks of recovery time. Shirakawa became the first such case when he signed with the Landers on May 22.

Source: Yonhap News Agency