SK Wyverns' Ross Wolf / Courtesy of SK Wyverns







By Nam Hyun-woo



The SK Wyverns now have one more thing to worry about.



Reliever Ross Wolf told the team he will not return to Korea after going back to the United States earlier this month to see his ailing son.



Wolf's abrupt decision has ignited a heated debate among baseball fans whether this is another foreign-player bust in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) or just an unfortunate situation.



An official of the Wyverns said Friday that "things have gotten difficult" in regards to the 32-year-old rejoining the roster and spending the rest of the season with the team.



"No change has been made in our roster yet, but we don't expect him to be back," the official said.





Coach Lee Man-soo





Wolf joined the Wyverns this season reportedly for $300,000. In 23 games, he had a record of 2-2 and a 4.85 earned-run average. After changing from a starter to a reliever, he had four saves.



The Wyverns sidelined him on Aug. 17 when he flew back to his home country to see his son, who was suffering health problem. Officials have not elaborated on the nature of the problem, citing privacy concerns.



According to the official, the team's front manager Jin Sang-bong talked to Wolf about his return and was told the pitcher will not return to the team.



Wyverns coach Lee Man-soo confirmed that. Before a game Thursday, Lee told reporters, "Wolf will not return."



Wolf is likely to be penalized because he did not get team approval before deciding not to finish the season.



The Wyverns said that they will not pay the $50,000 balance of his annual salary, and the pitcher will be directed to return some of the down payment he received.



Wolf reportedly addressed an apology to the team for his decision.



This comes as a huge loss for the Wyverns, who have already been hit hard by the absence of key foreign players while they strive to secure the fourth and final playoff spot as the regular season winds down.



Foreign players have made little contribution to the Wyverns this season. Pitcher Jo Jo Reyes and infielder Luke Scott were waived in the middle of the season.



As foreign players abruptly leave their teams one after another, fans have criticized the KBO for serving as little more than a "haven" where they can earn easy cash.



The most notorious case is Esmailin Caridad, a former Chicago Cubs pitcher who joined the Samsung Lions mid-season last year in a $120,000 deal. He was put on the disabled list after just three games and refused to play for the team until he was released at the end of the season.



After the Lions won the championship, he asked the team for a bonus despite refusing to pitch in the Asia Series. He now plays for a Mexican Baseball League team.