Charlie Barnes, the foreign pitcher of the Lotte Giants, has dedicated four years to the professional baseball team. However, it may be the fate that they must part ways now. Having had a chance to play autumn baseball again for the first time in eight years, what choice will Lotte make?
Lotte is currently supported by the one-two punch of Park Se-woong and Tucker Davidson in the starting rotation. They have won all their last 12 games in which Park and Davidson pitched. Park Se-woong has recorded 7 wins and 1 loss in 8 games with a earned run average of 2.54 (49⅔ innings and 14 earned runs). He is on a seven-game winning streak as a starter, firmly fulfilling the role of a native ace. In addition, Davidson is also performing well with 5 wins and no losses in 8 games, with an earned run average of 1.70 (47⅔ innings and 9 earned runs). Davidson is also on a five-game winning streak as a starter.
Nagyoon An, who started as the fifth starter, is also performing adequately. Although Nagyoon An has recorded 1 loss without a victory, he has an earned run average of 3.00 (36 innings and 12 earned runs) over 7 games. He faced many matchups against opposing aces but managed to prevent the team's momentum from breaking. However, there is a vacancy for one foreign pitcher. The candidate is Barnes, who has continued a connection with the team since 2022, having dedicated himself during the previous three seasons. Over the past three seasons, Barnes has recorded 32 wins and 28 losses over 86 games with an earned run average of 3.42 (507⅓ innings and 193 earned runs). He is known to be an innings eater, ranking second in innings pitched, just behind KIA's Yang Hyun-jong (517⅔ innings).
However, it is disappointing that Barnes, who has protected the team's starting rotation, is unable to join in on the present good flow. This season, Barnes has remained at 3 wins and 4 losses with an earned run average of 5.32 (45⅔ innings and 27 earned runs). He has been removed from the first team roster due to a diagnosis of damage to the left shoulder subscapularis after his last appearance against NC on the 4th. The subscapularis is a muscle located beneath the shoulder blade, playing a role in supporting and moving the shoulder joint.
Barnes noted that he felt more fatigue in his shoulder after recent appearances before his injury. This was the reason for his slump and injury. Manager Kim Tae-hyung expressed concern after observing his opening day performance, saying, "His pitching has decreased compared to before." Now, it seems that Barnes' fate, and Lotte's fortune this season, depends on the results of the examination on the 8th. Barnes has already received a diagnosis of damage to the left subscapularis at the designated hospital of the club, Joinsan Hospital. On the 8th, a cross-check will be conducted at the prestigious Cheongdam-Lee Orthopedic Hospital in Seoul, and an accurate diagnosis is expected to be released. Barnes' fate will be determined based on this diagnosis. Lotte may also make a decision.
If the rehabilitation diagnosis indicates more than six weeks, Barnes can be placed on the rehabilitation player list, after which a temporary substitute foreign player can be sought. Initially utilizing a temporary substitute player is likely, with discussions for a complete replacement compared to Barnes to follow.
If the diagnosis indicates less than six weeks, they will have to wait for Barnes' return without utilizing a substitute player. However, it is questionable how much innings the starting resources such as Park Jin, Lee Min-seok, and Kim Jin-wook can contribute aside from Park Se-woong, Davidson, and Nagyoon An. The bullpen is still incomplete, and considering the strain endured since the beginning of the season, if the starting rotation collapses repeatedly, there is a high chance of a chain reaction affecting the pitching staff. This injury is particularly sensitive, affecting the shoulder area. The signs of decline in Barnes' pitching ability were evident even before the diagnosis of subscapularis damage, making it uncertain whether his pitching can recover upon his return. Lotte may wait for Barnes' comeback, but with the current situation of maintaining third place at 21 wins, 16 losses, and 1 tie after completing a challenging stretch of nine consecutive games, relying on Barnes seems a significant risk. Although Barnes is a high-priced foreign player with a total contract amount of $1.5 million (approximately 210 million won), prioritizing the season race is more vital than worrying about sunk costs.
Lotte has previously undergone a significant trial and error last year. Barnes had to be removed from the first team roster due to a minor inner thigh injury at the end of May last year. Although it was initially suggested he would return in 2 to 3 weeks, Barnes ultimately made his comeback at the beginning of the second half on July 10. It took over six weeks. The team had to endure a tough race at the end of the first half without utilizing a substitute player. This year, such errors must not be repeated. A chance to play autumn baseball has come for the first time in eight years since 2017. Although it is still early in the season and premature to make judgments, the team is gradually solidifying under Manager Kim Tae-hyung’s regime. Regardless of what assessment comes out for Barnes, the club needs to make a wise decision. There is no guarantee that opportunities like this season will come again if they respond lukewarmly and let time pass carelessly. Of course, Lotte has also been preparing a list of foreign players like other teams.
Meanwhile, aside from Barnes, Hwang Seong-bin, who has been diagnosed with a fracture of the left metacarpal bone, and Jeon Min-jae, who was excluded due to the effects of a head shot, will also undergo re-examinations on the 8th. The timing of their rehabilitation and return is expected to be determined based on the results of these examinations. Hwang Seong-bin is scheduled to be re-examined at Korea University Anam Hospital, and Jeon Min-jae at the National Medical Center.
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