As injuries pile up, the Samsung Lions are facing another setback in their four-game losing streak. Although key players Oh Ji-hwan and Kang Min-ho avoided major injuries, they were both excluded from the starting lineup due to the aftereffects of being hit by a pitch.

Samsung arranged their lineup against Hanwha's starting pitcher Moon Dong-joo on the 7th as follows: Kim Sung-yoon (center fielder), Yang Do-geun (third baseman), Lee Sung-kyu (right fielder), Lewin Diaz (designated hitter), Ryu Ji-hyeok (first baseman), Kim Jae-sung (catcher), Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), Ahn Joo-hyung (second baseman), and Kim Tae-geun (left fielder). The starting pitcher is left-hander Lee Seung-hyun.

Oh Ji-hwan and Kang Min-ho, who were replaced due to injuries in the previous game against Hanwha on the 6th, are out of the lineup for today. Lee Sung-kyu has stepped into the third batting order previously held by Oh Ji-hwan, and Kim Jae-sung will put on the catcher's mask instead.

Samsung's manager Park Jin-man noted in a pre-game interview regarding the two players, "It is difficult for them to play today. However, tomorrow (the 8th) is a rest day. We will need to assess their condition until Friday (the 9th against LG in Daegu). Both have contusions, so there are no issues with their bones, which is a relief."

Oh Ji-hwan was hit in the right elbow by a fastball clocked at 145 km/h from the starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin in the third inning against Hanwha the previous day. Although he was wearing protective gear, there was no time to avoid it, and he fell to the ground, complaining of pain for a while.

He continued base-running and even scored, but was replaced by Kim Tae-geun before the next inning's defense. After being taken to the hospital for examination, it was fortunate that Oh Ji-hwan suffered only a minor contusion, avoiding the worst, but he will miss the game on the 7th due to lingering pain.

Kang Min-ho was also hit hard in the left knee by a foul ball from Chae Eun-sung's fourth pitch during the eighth inning of the previous day's game. The foul ball grazed the bat, directly absorbing the impact of Baek Chan-seung's fastball that was clocked at 146 km/h.

Suffering from severe pain, Kang Min-ho was eventually replaced by Kim Jae-sung and exited the game, limping off the field. Fortunately, he avoided a major injury with a simple contusion to his knee, but he is in need of protection.

Samsung has struggled with a record of two wins, five losses, and one tie during a nine-game stretch starting from the 29th of last month. In that time, injuries to position players like Kim Ji-chan (hamstring), Kim Young-woong (throat), and Kim Heon-gon (back) have continued, leading to recent four-game losing streaks. To make matters worse, the lineup for the game against Hanwha on the 7th looks quite weak with both Oh Ji-hwan and Kang Min-ho out.

Manager Park Jin-man remarked, "We are short-handed and teeth have also been lost," with a wry smile, adding, "Today, we have to rely on our bodies in this situation. Since many young players will be on the field, I plan to encourage them energetically from behind," expressing hope that Lee Sung-kyu will make a good impact, as he continues to maintain his hitting condition after returning from injury.

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