Professional baseball player Jeon Min-jae of the Lotte Giants was transported to the hospital after being hit in the head by a ball.
Lotte won 9-3 against the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 29th. The batting lineup recorded 17 hits and achieved a hit from all starters, showcasing impressive hitting.
However, Lotte fans could not smile even after the victory because Jeon Min-jae, who is leading the league in batting average, was hit in the head by a ball, replaced, and transported to the hospital. On that day, Jeon Min-jae started as the No. 9 shortstop, recording 2 hits in 3 at-bats and 1 walk. The disappointment was even greater as he had increased his batting feeling with a multi-hit game.
The incident occurred in the top of the 7th inning with Lotte leading 6-1 and one out with runners on first and second. Jeon Min-jae faced relief pitcher Yang Ji-yul in his fourth at-bat. However, with a 2-strike count, Yang Ji-yul's fastball, which reached 140 km/h, flew high towards Jeon Min-jae's head and struck his helmet. It was a dangerous ball that could have easily hit Jeon Min-jae in the face.
Stunned by the impact of the ball, Jeon Min-jae was unable to get up for a while. Eventually, an ambulance came onto the field, and he was transported to the hospital. Lotte explained, "Jeon Min-jae is currently receiving an examination at Korea University Guro Hospital. Some additional tests are scheduled for tomorrow, and results are expected to be released tomorrow."
Jeon Min-jae has been performing exceptionally well this season, recording a batting average of .387 (36 hits in 93 at-bats) with 1 home run, 10 RBIs, 14 runs scored, and 1 stolen base, with an OPS of .925. He ranks first in the league in batting average, tied for third in hits, fifth in on-base percentage, and seventh in OPS. If Jeon Min-jae suffers a serious injury, it would inevitably deal a significant blow to Lotte's lineup.
Charlie Barnes, the starting pitcher who became the winning pitcher on the day, noted in a post-game interview, "I hope Jeon Min-jae doesn't have a serious injury. Getting hit in the head by a ball is always a scary situation for anyone. I hope he recovers as soon as possible and returns. I don't know if he will be able to play in tomorrow's game, but I hope to hear good news about his recovery soon."
Lotte fans at Gocheok Dome could not hide their disappointment as they booed the pitcher when Jeon Min-jae was hit by the ball. This is because Jeon Min-jae had been showing the best performance for Lotte this year and was the most beloved player among fans. All Lotte fans hope that Jeon Min-jae, who left the field due to an unexpected incident, will return to the team in good health.
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