The Samsung Lions said Thursday their new American pitcher Matt Manning was set to leave their camp in Japan for South Korea to undergo testing on his ailing right elbow — the latest blow to a club already down a key starting pitcher. A Lions official said the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) was trying to book a flight back to South Korea for Manning, who had been in the camp in the Japanese prefecture of Okinawa since earlier this month. Manning was roughed up for four runs on three hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch in only 2/3 of an inning against the Hanwha Eagles in a scrimmage Tuesday. He complained of elbow pains after the game. The Lions may be forced to replace Manning before he even throws a pitch in a regular-season game. The 28-year-old right-hander signed for $1 million in December. The Lions earlier saw their top South Korean starter Won Tae-in hit the sidelines with elbow issues. Won was dropped from the national team ahead of the World Baseball Classic and is currently away from the Lions to undergo treatments.
