20 days have passed since being sent down to the second team. When will I return to the first team?

Hanwha Eagles pitcher Joo Hyun-sang allowed a home run in the Futures League and gave up 3 runs. Joo Hyun-sang took the mound as a relief pitcher in the Futures League game against the Kia Tigers held at Hampyeong Kia Challenger’s Field on the 16th. He struggled with 3 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, and 3 runs allowed over 1 inning.

Joo Hyun-sang took the mound in the 7th inning with a 5-2 lead. He issued a walk to the first batter, Choi Jeong-yong, on a full count. He got Kim Seok-hwan out on a foul fly to the third baseman. With 1 out and a runner on first, he allowed a hit to Jeong Hae-won to make it runners on first and second. Joo Hyun-sang then gave up a three-run home run over the right field fence to Han Jun-soo. This allowed the game to tie at 5-5.

After allowing the runs, Joo Hyun-sang struck out Lee Young-jae for 2 outs. After 2 outs, he allowed a hit to Ye Jin-won and struck out Kang Min-je with three pitches to end the inning.

Joo Hyun-sang started the season as the closer for Hanwha. Last year, he recorded 8 wins, 4 losses, 23 saves, and 2 holds in 65 games with an earned run average of 2.65, having a successful season. It was his first time taking the role of closer, and it exceeded expectations.

Joo Hyun-sang recorded a save when he appeared in the 9th inning of the opening game against the KT Wiz, leading 4-2. However, he was shaky, allowing 2 hits and 1 run in 1 inning. He allowed a solo home run to lead-off batter Kim Sang-soo and then gave up a hit to Kang Baek-ho, putting a runner on first with no outs. He registered a strikeout against Loahsu and escaped danger when the catcher threw out a runner attempting to steal second.

On March 23 against KT, he appeared in the 11th inning with a 4-4 tie and 1 out with runners on first and second, but he allowed a game-ending hit. Right after coming in, he hit the first batter, Cheon Seong-ho, with a pitch and allowed a game-ending double to Bae Jeong-dae.

On March 26 against LG, he appeared with 2 outs and no runners on in the 6th inning, trailing 0-2. It seemed to be a positional change. Although he was in a less pressured situation, Joo Hyun-sang allowed 3 hits, 1 walk, and 2 runs in ⅓ inning.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon excluded Joo Hyun-sang from the first-team roster on the following day, the 27th. The closer position has changed. Manager Kim noted, "Kim Seo-hyun will take over as the closer. Unlike coming in during the 7th inning, he will have a lot more pressure coming in to close in the 9th inning. For now, we have decided that way after looking at it broadly," and added, "When Joo Hyun-sang prepares himself again, he will be a player who has to play an important role on the team."

Joo Hyun-sang recorded 3 runs allowed in 6 hits over 1⅓ innings in 3 games at the first team, with an earned run average of 20.26 before being sent down to the second team. In the second team, he has appeared in 5 games and recorded 1 hold with an earned run average of 7.20 (5 innings, 4 runs allowed). Before the game against the Kia second team, his earned run average was 2.25, but with the 3 runs allowed, it soared to 7.20. Three weeks have passed without an opportunity for a call-up to the first team.

Meanwhile, Kim Seo-hyun, who took over the closer role from Joo Hyun-sang, has appeared in 11 games, recording 4 saves, 1 hold, and an earned run average of 0, showcasing remarkable performance.

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