SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA - James Naile, the number one starter for the Kia Tigers, has been ruled out indefinitely after sustaining a broken jaw during a game against the NC Dinos, delivering a significant setback to the team's championship hopes.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the injury occurred when Naile was struck in the face by a line drive hit by Matt Davidson in the sixth inning of Saturday's game at Changwon NC Park. The impact, which left the stadium in stunned silence, led Naile to immediately clutch his jaw and exit the field. He was diagnosed with a fractured jaw at a local hospital and underwent surgery in Seoul on Sunday morning.

Naile, in his first year with the Korea Baseball Organization, has been a pivotal player for the Tigers, tying for the league lead with 12 wins and holding the second-best ERA at 2.53. His performance has helped propel the Tigers to the top of the standings with a record of 71-47-2 and a comfortable lead over their closest rivals, the Samsung Lions, as the regular season nears its conclusion.

The Tigers, who are seeking their first Korean Series title since 2017 and have historically dominated the series with an 11-for-11 record in championships, face a challenging path ahead without their star pitcher. The team stated that there is no set timeline for Naile’s return, emphasizing that his recovery progress will dictate his comeback to the mound.