“Many emotions came up from the moment I started to loosen my arm.”

Hanwha Eagles pitcher Kim Jong-soo (31) took the mound in relief during the 7th inning of an exhibition game against SSG at Munhak on the 11th. The first batter, Lee Jung-beom, swung and missed on the first pitch fastball. Although he allowed a hit to Lee Jung-beom, he struck out 1 batter and got the next 3 batters out, finishing the inning without allowing a run.

While it appeared to be an ordinary exhibition game, it was a significant day for Kim Jong-soo. After 2 years since the exhibition game against KIA on March 14, 2023, he stepped onto the first-team mound. During that time, Kim Jong-soo underwent elbow bone fragment removal surgery and went through a long rehabilitation. There were several setbacks due to pain recurrence during the rehabilitation process. He considered throwing sidearm to avoid pain in his arm and even wondered if he should give up baseball at times.

However, Hanwha did not give up on Kim Jong-soo, and he returned to action by stepping onto the Futures League mound last June. In the Futures League last year, he recorded 4 wins, 2 losses, 1 save, and 10 holds in 30 games (31⅔ innings), with a 3.69 earned run average and 38 strikeouts, finishing the season healthy. This year, he started the spring camp with the Futures team, but Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon continued to keep track of Kim Jong-soo, who had pitched in the crucial lineup in 2022.

On the 6th, in an internal game held at the new venue Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, Kim Jong-soo impressed manager Kim Kyung-moon. He pitched 1⅓ innings with 2 hits allowed, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, and 1 run given up, throwing a fastball at a maximum speed of 146 km/h. Shortly after the start of the exhibition games, he was called up to the first team and made a clean first appearance that boosted expectations.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon acknowledged, “He is a player who held an important position in our team in 2022. A pitcher with a career who pitched in situations that affect the team's win-loss record deserves special consideration. As long as Jong-soo is not hurt, he is a proven player.” He added, “He is indeed pitching his own ball on the mound. It’s great to have one more resource in our bullpen.”

Kim Jong-soo, a graduate of Ulsan High School, was drafted by Hanwha in the 8th round with the 74th overall pick in 2013 and made his first-team debut in 2018. Until 2022, he recorded a total of 193 games (177⅔ innings) over 5 seasons, with 7 wins, 6 losses, 2 saves, and 19 holds, and an earned run average of 5.12, striking out 155 batters. He was promoted to a crucial lineup role starting in 2020, earning 19 holds. In 2022, he had his best season, appearing in 52 games (45 innings) with 3 wins, 4 losses, 1 save, 6 holds, an earned run average of 4.40, and 45 strikeouts. He threw a fastball at an average speed in the 140 km/h range, possessing solid vertical movement and strength as a pitcher.

However, his elbow began to hurt toward the end of the 2022 season, and during the 2023 exhibition games, the pain worsened, leading to surgery. Prior to this, Kim Jong-soo had undergone Tommy John surgery in 2014 and a second Tommy John surgery with bone fragment removal in 2017, making this his fourth surgery. Having experienced multiple surgeries and rehabilitation, he noted that this rehabilitation was the hardest. Although it was a lighter bone fragment surgery compared to Tommy John surgery, it took him 1 year and 2 months to throw again.

Having overcome the anxious days wondering if he would never be able to play baseball again, Kim Jong-soo stepped onto the first-team mound after 2 years, so the game against SSG on the 11th was not just an ordinary exhibition game for him. Kim Jong-soo said, “It felt good to be on the mound after such a long time. Many emotions came up from the moment I started to loosen my arm. I thought of many grateful people, including trainer Kim Jae-min, who helped me during rehabilitation, and Futures manager Lee Dae-jin, and I am really thankful to the team. The rehabilitation process was incredibly long, and I thought it would not be easy for me at times, so I am very grateful for their patience.”

Looking back on the lengthy rehabilitation period, Kim Jong-soo said, “I often thought I just wanted to throw the ball hard once in the first team. I wanted to throw without any regrets, and it seems I am throwing just as I had thought.” He added, “My physical condition is completely fine. The speed may not reach 100% compared to before the surgery, but my pitching feels much better to me.” In the game on the 11th, he threw fastballs with a maximum speed of 146 km/h and an average of 145 km/h.

While manager Kim Kyung-moon referred to him as a ‘crucial lineup’ pitcher, Kim Jong-soo waved his hand, saying, “If the manager said that, I would graciously accept it, but I don't think I have ever pitched as a crucial lineup pitcher. I have always played the role of a bridge in between and have always wanted to be part of the crucial lineup. Now, I will work hard to take on the crucial lineup role.”

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