LG Twins coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop expressed regret that Oh Ji-hwan, who left due to an oblique muscle injury, was left empty.
Director Yeom said in an interview ahead of the home game against the Samsung Lions in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 8th, “Oh Ji-hwan is missing for up to three weeks, so the blow to the air defense is great.”
Oh Ji-hwan was excluded from the starting lineup because of discomfort in his side after batting training before the game on the 7th. Afterwards, he moved to the hospital and underwent an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) test, and as a result, he was diagnosed with microinjury to the right abdominis muscle. He is expected to take 2 to 3 weeks to heal.
For LG, the departure of starting shortstop and captain Oh Ji-hwan is bad news. Oh Ji-hwan played in 5 games this season and displayed a good performance through offense and defense with a batting average of 0.300, 5 RBIs, 4 stolen bases and 4 points.
On this day, LG canceled Oh Ji-hwan from the first team entry and registered Choi Hyun-joon, who joined as a rookie in 2018 in the 27th rank of the 2nd 3rd round.
Crisis can be an opportunity. Coach Yeom also said, “With Oh Ji-hwan’s departure, other players will have a chance,” adding, “In particular, Kim Joo-seong, who will soon come up in the first team, will be able to grow significantly (through this opportunity).”
Here, Kim Min-seong, who has good defense, can be a good alternative. Kim Min-seong will start as a shortstop in the game on the 8th following the 7th. Manager Yeom, who has watched Min-seong Kim since his days as the Nexen Heroes’ command tower, praised him as “a very good catcher and thrower. He is a more stable infielder than any other player.”
In LG, infielders such as Oh Ji-hwan, Kim Joo-seong, Son Ho-young, and Lee Jae-won collapsed with injuries one after another. As the depth of the infield has become thinner, it is a strategy to select and concentrate until it becomes complete. Director Yeom emphasized, “I will put all my effort into a game where I can win 4 won.” 메이저놀이터
Meanwhile, Austin Dean, who was replaced due to discomfort in his right Achilles tendon during the game on the 7th, was fortunately not seriously injured. He was excluded from the start for the game on the 8th, but is scheduled to play as a pinch hitter.
Director Yeom said of Austin, “It is uncomfortable to run with full power,” and “whether to start the game on the 9th will be decided based on the condition.”