Last year, the professional baseball team KIA Tigers, which won the championship, has fallen to the bottom 10th place after just 16 games this season. They were evaluated as the 'absolute favorite' before the season, but from the opening game, injuries to the MVP have continued to plague them.

The game scheduled between KIA and SSG Landers on the 12th at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field was canceled due to rain. Spring rain started to fall in Gwangju from 2 p.m., and a large waterproof cover was laid on the ground. Although spectators entered, the rain intensified, and with strong winds forecasted, the game was decided to be canceled around 4:10 p.m.

On the same day, the Kiwoom Heroes won against the Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark with a score of 6-2. Rookie pitcher Jung Hyun-woo, the top overall pick, recorded 2 wins this season with 5 innings and 2 earned runs. The team's captain, Song Seong-mun, performed brilliantly as a lead-off hitter, achieving 3 hits in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 3 walks, and 3 RBIs.

With this victory, Kiwoom improved to 7 wins and 11 losses (winning percentage .389), matching Hanwha's record of 7 wins and 11 losses (winning percentage .389). The Doosan Bears lost 0-4 to the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium, marking their fourth consecutive defeat, bringing their season record to 7 wins and 11 losses (winning percentage .389). Doosan, Hanwha, and Kiwoom are tied for 7th place.

KIA has fallen to 10th place with a record of 6 wins and 10 losses (winning percentage .353), lagging behind in winning percentage without any gaps. This is the first time the team has been in 10th place this season. Furthermore, another key player was injured on this day.

On the 12th, KIA removed left-handed reliever Kwak Do-kyu from the first-team roster. KIA stated, "As a result of an MRI taken at the designated hospital, Kwak Do-kyu was diagnosed with damage to the flexor muscles of his left elbow. He will undergo a double-check at a hospital in Seoul on the 14th."

Kwak Do-kyu excelled last year with a record of 4 wins, 2 losses, 2 saves, and 16 holds across 71 games, with an earned run average of 3.56. He also recorded 2 relief wins in 4 games in the Korean Series. However, this year, possibly due to poor physical condition, he struggled with a record of 3 holds and an earned run average of 13.50 over 9 games, leading to injury.

KIA's superstar Kim Do-young, who won the MVP last year, collapsed due to a hamstring injury in the opening game. Following that, Park Chan-ho (knee) and Kim Sun-bin (calf) also exited the roster due to injuries. The pitching staff now includes Kwak Do-kyu on the injury list.

Park Chan-ho returned to the first team on the 5th. Kim Do-young is scheduled to undergo a re-examination on the 14th, and if confirmed as fully recovered, plans to participate in the Futures League to regain his competitive edge.

The team's performance has suffered due to injuries, and in the starting lineup, left-handed pitchers Yang Hyun-jong (4 games, 3 losses, ERA 6.64) and Yoon Young-cheol (2 games, 2 losses, ERA 24.00) have been underperforming. At bat, 42-year-old veteran Choi Hyung-woo is the only player with a batting average above .300. Park Chan-ho (batting average .179) and Choi Won-jun (batting average .208) are struggling, while Na Sung-bum (4 home runs, 12 RBIs) and Wisdom (5 home runs, 10 RBIs) have been playing key roles, with batting averages of .259 and .235, respectively.

[OSEN]