토스카지노Kiwoom Heroes’ 2.5 billion won pitcher Won Jong-hyun (36) has re-injured his forearm.
The Kiwoom Heroes removed pitcher Won Jong-hyun from the first team roster and registered pitcher Kim Sung-jin ahead of their ninth game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Sunday.
Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki said, “The sore spot from April has recurred, and the results of the hospital checkup are not good. Regardless of yesterday’s results, injuries are not good for a player. It’s unfortunate,” he said with a deep sigh, adding, “The exact area is the right elbow ligament, but I will tell you later whether or not I will have surgery.”
Won, who signed a four-year, 2.5 billion won ($2.5 million) free agent contract with Kiwoom at the end of last season, threw just two games after the opening day before being scratched due to right forearm pain. He returned to the first team on May 19 with a rehab assignment and went 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in 20 games over two months, but a recurrence of the injury sent him back to the disabled list. Won Jong-hyun made a relief appearance the previous day against Gochuk NC and was shaky, allowing two runs on two hits with one walk and one strikeout in ⅔ innings.
Won Jong-hyun’s replacement on the first team is Kim Sung-jin. After going 1-0 with a 3.71 ERA in 30 games and five starts last season, he was sent down to the second team on March 26 to rebuild. He gave up five runs in one inning against Doosan in Gochuk on the 25th. Kiwoom’s starting lineup against Doosan Kwak-Bin is Kim Jun-wan (left fielder), Kim Hye-sung (second baseman), Lee Jung-hoo (center fielder), Kim Woong-bin (designated hitter), Lee Hyung-jong (right fielder), Lim Ji-yeol (first baseman), Song Sung-moon (third baseman), Kim Jae-hyun (catcher), and Kim Joo-hyung (shortstop).
The starting pitcher is Ian McKinney, who joined the team as a replacement foreign player on March 16. McKinney is 1-1 with a 1.80 ERA in two games, and both of his debuts were played at the indoor Gocheok Sky Dome. This was their first time outdoors.
Hong said, “Like I said at the beginning, I think McKinney will get two or three games and we’ll see what kind of player he is. It was his first time pitching outdoors, so I think he will be evaluated based on how he pitches today,” Hong said.
