Just prior to the opening, '15-win champion' Kwak Bin (Doosan Bears) is set to return after suffering a side injury and withdrawing from the competition.
Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop spoke with reporters on the 10th ahead of the third game of the season against the Hanwha Eagles at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium, stating, 'Kwak Bin has received an assessment from the re-examination that he has recovered significantly.'
Doosan's homegrown ace Kwak Bin faced the Goyang Heroes in a Futures League match on the 19th of last month, where he pitched a final mock exam before the season. He faced 18 batters over 5 innings, allowing 1 hit, striking out 6, with 3 walks and no runs scored, demonstrating an impressive pitching display with 69 pitches, including a fastball with a top speed of 149 km/h, along with curveballs, sliders, and changeups, preparing for the third game of the season.
Unfortunately, he suffered an injury during the game. While pitching against the Goyang lineup, he felt pain in his left side, and the results of a detailed examination on the 20th revealed a shocking diagnosis of partial damage to his internal oblique muscle.
After withdrawing from the competition and focusing on recovery, Kwak Bin underwent a re-examination at the club's designated hospital. Fortunately, his condition has improved significantly. Manager Lee Seung-yeop explained, 'Starting tomorrow, he will begin light practices such as net throwing. Since he has been able to train in all activities except throwing, I think he can quickly increase his pace now.'
Regarding the timing of Kwak Bin's return, he noted, 'We cannot think urgently. We will go through the process step by step. Since he has not yet started pitching, we cannot definitively determine the return date.'
Doosan's starting lineup against Hanwha's starting pitcher Ryan Weiss includes Jung Soo-bin (center fielder), Jake Cave (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Yang Seok-hwan (first baseman), Kang Seung-ho (third baseman), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Choo Jae-hyun (left fielder), Park Gye-beom (shortstop), and Oh Myung-jin (second baseman). The first-team roster sees foreign hitter Jake Cave being added, while infielder Yeo Dong-geon has been removed.
Jake Cave, who became Doosan's new foreign hitter for an aggregate of $1 million, has a batting average of .214 with 3 RBIs over 8 games and was removed from the first-team roster on the 31st of last month. After suffering from a severe cough and cold, he was given a break and joined the Icheon Futures team after recovery on the 8th. He also generously provided a coffee cart for the second team and raised his game feel with a batting average of .500 (3 hits in 6 at-bats) over 2 Futures League games.
On this day, Doosan's starting pitcher Jack Logue has a season record of 1 win and 2 losses with an earned run average of 5.50 over 3 games, succeeding in his first quality start and victory of the season with 6 innings pitched, allowing 7 hits, 2 walks, and striking out 6 against the Lotte Giants on the 4th. This is the first encounter with Hanwha.
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