“He looks better than he did in spring training and exhibition games.” 토토사이트
Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop recently spoke about pitcher Jang Won-jun, 38, before the team’s game against the KT Wiz in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at KT Wiz Park in Suwon.
Jang is a veteran left-handed pitcher who once dominated the KBO. From 2008 (with the Lotte Giants) to 2017 (with Doosan), he posted double-digit wins in eight consecutive seasons. But even the veteran of an era can’t escape the passage of time. In five seasons, from 2018 to last year, he faltered with an 8.61 ERA in 91 games and 115 innings pitched. His appearances dropped significantly, his ERA skyrocketed, and he changed roles to reliever.
Jang prepared for this season with a cliffhanger mentality. He traveled with the first team from spring training in Sydney, Australia, to the exhibition games, and then headed to the Futures League to prepare for the start of the season. He has started all four games in the Futures League this season, posting a 1-1 record with a 3.60 ERA in 20 innings pitched with 18 strikeouts. He’s been working on his feel and getting himself in shape to pitch six innings.
The opportunity came soon after. Alternate starter Lee Won-jae (20) is headed to the Futures League, and the team will use veteran Jang Won-jun to fill the void. For Jang Won-jun, it was his first start since October 7, 2020, against the Incheon SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers).
Jang Won-jun is currently traveling with the first team and preparing to make his first appearance of the season. Before the game on the 19th, he pitched out of the bullpen in front of Lee.
After watching him pitch, Lee said, “He looks better than he did in spring training and the exhibition games,” adding, “It’s hard to judge (exactly) because it’s a bullpen pitch. We’ll have to see him throw the ball next Tuesday (Nov. 23), but he looked good in practice.”
Meanwhile, Doosan is without Young Gun Kwak-bin (24) and foreign pitcher Dylan Pyle (27), who are out of the first team with back strains and elbow pain, respectively. To fill the gaps in the starting lineup, the performance of Jang Won-jun, who has 129 career wins, is more important than ever.