Kia Tigers sidearm pitcher Lim Ki-young has been sent down to the second team.

Manager Lee Bum-ho erased Lim Ki-young's entry ahead of the 2025 Korea Professional Baseball Hanwha Eagles game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 3rd. Instead, he called up right-hander Jang Jae-hyuk.

Lim Ki-young took the mound in the 11th inning of extra innings the previous day but gave up a deciding solo home run to Noh Si-hwan. Following a poor performance since the opening, he underwent reassessment in the second team for 23 days starting March 27 and returned on April 18. As poor pitching continued, he will have another reassessment period.

Manager Lee explained, "He works really hard but when it doesn't go well in the detailed aspects, it results in him trying to throw deeper. I judged that it's better to give him time when things aren't going well. While he takes this time in the second team, he needs to feel good to regain his pitching form."

Kia established its starting lineup with Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Wisdom (first baseman), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Lee Woo-sung (right fielder), Oh Seon-woo (left fielder), Kim Tae-kyun (catcher), and Choi Won-joon (center fielder).

Wisdom, who batted fifth the previous day, was moved up to the second spot. Kim Sun-bin took his place as the fifth batter. As he has a good on-base percentage, this lineup aims to create opportunities in the core batting order.

Kia has struggled with a lack of scoring in the last two games. The game against NC on April 30 ended without any runs scored, while the previous day's match against Hanwha in Gwangju saw only 2 runs over 11 innings. The table setters had relatively few opportunities to get on base. Notably, Kim Sun-bin recorded 7 at-bats without a hit, with well-hit balls going straight to fielders.

Manager Lee explained, "I think the ability to resolve issues in the core batting lineup is lower than the ability to create. It seems that home runs come more from the second spot. I considered who would produce RBIs in clutch situations between Sun-bin and Wisdom. Since he has a high on-base percentage, I decided to swap them around, keeping him in a chance-making role while also aiming for home runs."

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