Professional baseball player LG Twins free agent relief pitcher Kim Kang-ryul is making a rehab appearance in the Futures League and will return to the first team.
Kim Kang-ryul appeared as a relief pitcher in the Futures League game against Sangmu at the Mungyeong Baseball Stadium on the 23rd, recording 1 inning with 1 hit and no runs.
He took the mound in the 5th inning, trailing 1-5. He handled the first batter, Kim Seon-woo, with a groundout to third base on the first pitch. Han Dong-hee grounded out to third base after a full count. He allowed a single to Kim Jae-sang. With two outs and a runner on first base, he ended the inning without allowing a run, getting Jeon Ui-san to ground out to first base with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike.
Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop noted on the 23rd at Jamsil Baseball Stadium regarding Kim Kang-ryul's appearance in the second team, "He will join the first team the day after tomorrow. He will train for a day tomorrow to ensure he can pitch from the day after tomorrow, which is why I had him appear today." Kim Kang-ryul will have to wait until the 25th to complete the ten-day period of being on the restricted list before he can be registered for the first team.
On the 23rd, he pitched 1 inning in the second team, followed by training on the 24th, and his registration in the first team on the 25th. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop has stated that he will not have Kim Kang-ryul pitch consecutively this season.
Kim Kang-ryul, who signed a maximum 1.4 billion won free agent contract for 3+1 years last winter, was sent down to the second team on the 15th. He showed symptoms of high fever due to an allergy and was given time to rest and regain his pitching balance. At that time, Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop mentioned, "Right now, Ji Kang is in better form than Kang-ryul. Kang-ryul was hanging in there."
Kim Kang-ryul has pitched in five games since the season opener, recording 1 win, 1 save, and 1 hold with an earned run average of 3.60. The detailed stats include 5 innings with 4 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs, with a batting average against of .211 and a WHIP of 1.60. This was a chance to have him regroup in slightly less-than-ideal condition due to an allergy.
Closer Jang Hyun-sik has been shaky lately, allowing runs in the last two games. Jang Hyun-sik took the mound in the third inning against SSG on the 20th, trailing 0-3 with 2 outs and a runner on second base, where he allowed a two-run home run to Choi Jun-woo, finishing with 1⅓ innings, 2 hits, and 1 earned run. On the 22nd against NC, he allowed an RBI single in the 9th with 1 out and a runner on second base, and in the 10th inning in extra innings, he gave up two doubles, allowing the winning run and becoming the losing pitcher. He recorded 1 inning with 3 hits and 1 earned run.
On the 24th against NC, Jang Hyun-sik pitched the 9th inning with a lead of 3-0, recording 1 inning with 1 hit and no runs for a save. Earlier, starters Song Seung-ki (6 innings), Park Myung-geun (1 inning), and Kim Jin-sung (1 inning) did not allow a single hit, but Jang Hyun-sik allowed a double to the first batter, Kim Joo-won, breaking the team's no-hit, no-run bid. LG had achieved its fourth team no-hit, no-run in history against Samsung on the 15th.
Meanwhile, LG will depart for a three-game series against KIA in Gwangju starting the 25th after completing the last game of the three-game series against NC on the 24th. This is Jang Hyun-sik's former team. Accordingly, Kim Kang-ryul's return date to the first team has been set. Kim Kang-ryul needs to perform his role well in the winning group alongside veteran Kim Jin-sung and sidearm pitcher Park Myung-geun in front of Jang Hyun-sik.
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