The KIA Tigers have been suffering from a string of main players this year.
Key hitters Kim Do-young, captain Na Sung-beom, foreign hitter Patrick Wisdom, veteran infielder Kim Sun-bin, middle-field pitcher Kwak Do-kyu, fifth starter Hwang Dong-ha, and infielder Park Jung-woo were all out of the team.
Fortunately, outfielder Choi Won-joon has returned to the main league after being eliminated to reorganize with infielder Wisdom on Wednesday. Who will be the next player? Na Sung-bum is the most likely candidate.스포츠토토
KIA registered Wisdom and Choi Won-joon in the entry and canceled infielders Park Min and Jung Hae-won ahead of the away game against KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 1st.
Wisdom felt discomfort in his lower back during the first doubleheader game against SSG Landers on June 11. He headed to the Futures team of the second tier team on Monday to recover from his injury. After recovering from his injury, he returned to the team after playing in a real game, including an exchange match with the Japanese Softbank Hawks' third tier team.
Choi started the game against KT on April 21 and made a catch error while handling a fly ball hit by the opponent team's batter in the bottom of the first inning. He underwent a change of reprimand early in the game and was notified of his move to the second division on the following day.
The two players started side by side against KT on the 1st.
"It's best for players who have played a lot of games and who have played before to continue playing," KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said before the game. "Now that I can play in the first team, I will trust you. I hope you continue to do well," he said. "A lot of young players are going out, and experienced players should lead the team on the ground."
Wisdom showed a multi-hit performance with two hits in five at-bats, and Choi Won-joon was hitless in five at-bats.
Now, the next players must join the team. "I think Na Sung-bum will be able to join the team within June. I think he will be able to join the team," Lee said. "Kim Sun-bin is not sure yet. We have to wait and see whether he will be able to come back within June or not."
Na Sung-bum was out of action on April 27 due to muscle damage in his calf. He was away for more than a month. KIA used Oh Sun-woo, Choi Won-joon and Lee Woo-sung as right fielders instead of Na. If Na returns within June, he will be able to add weight to the lineup immediately.
Kim Sun-bin was also removed on April 22 due to a calf injury. The injury recurred in a part that had been injured once in early April, swallowing regret. Kia recruited Yoon Do-hyun, Hong Jong-pyo and Kim Gyu-seong as second basemen when Kim Sun-bin was out. Recently, Yoon is receiving many opportunities.
"We believe that all injured players will come back in July. Before that, we need to play well in June," Lee said. "We will try our best to win as many games as possible through dialogue with the coaching staff. June is really important to us."
"When I look at the entire professional baseball season, I think the ranking of teams will not be determined until July or August. You might think that June is a bit early, but given the situation, our team has to pay the most attention," he said. "If the winning rate is around 50 percent in June, just like in April or May (the monthly winning rate of 0.500), I think it will be a good season. If it collapses in June, I think it will be a tough season."
Lee said, "I will focus on June. I will make sure that I can get through it well," he said.