Lee Ji-kang continued his stable pitching in the Futures League for the second consecutive game.

On the 8th, Lee Ji-kang started as a pitcher in the 2025 Futures League game against the Goheung Heroes held at Goyang Stadium, recording 5 innings, 8 hits allowed, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs.

In the first inning, Lee Ji-kang allowed the first batter Jeon Tae-hyun to walk after a full count. He then struck out the next three batters with KKK. In his confrontation with Lee Ju-hyung, he permitted a stolen base by the runner on first base to second base after ball four on the fifth pitch. With no outs and a runner on second, he struck out Lee Ju-hyung. Although he allowed a stolen base to Im Ji-yeol at the plate, he struck out Im Ji-yeol looking with one out and then struck out Park Ju-hong swinging.

In the second inning, he got Yang Hyun-jong out on a fly ball to center field on the first pitch, and Lee Dong-wook was struck out swinging for two outs. He allowed a double to Won Sung-jun to right-center, but he prevented any runs by getting Kim Keon-hee out on a ground ball to shortstop. In the third inning, after two outs, he allowed a single to Lee Ju-hyung to right. He ended the inning by getting Im Ji-yeol out on a ground ball to third base.

In the fourth inning, leading 2-0, he gave up a single to Park Ju-hong, leading to no outs and a runner on first base. He got Yang Hyun-jong out on a fly ball to second baseman and Lee Dong-wook out on a fly ball to right field for two outs. He allowed a single to Won Sung-jun, which created a scoring opportunity with runners on first and second, but he managed to get Kim Keon-hee out on a ground ball to the pitcher, keeping the score unchanged.

In the fifth inning, he could not overcome the crisis. After one out, he allowed a single to left field to Jeon Tae-hyun, and during Lee Ju-hyung's ground ball to second baseman, the lead runner was out at second base. With two outs and a runner on first, he allowed a double to Im Ji-yeol to left field, giving up one run. He then allowed an infield single to Park Ju-hong and a timely hit to right by Yang Hyun-jong, allowing the game to be tied at 2-2.

Lee Ji-kang was sent down to the second team on April 27. The day before, on the 26th, Lee Ji-kang was given a replacement starting opportunity against the KIA in Gwangju, where he struggled with 3 innings, 8 hits allowed (including 2 home runs), 2 walks, 1 strikeout, and 6 earned runs. He allowed 2 runs from the first inning. Although he performed well as a long reliever, his starting appearance was disappointing.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yup noted, "I have been giving him opportunities for three years, and it is incredibly regrettable. If he cannot seize the opportunity, such opportunities will not continue to be given."

Lee Ji-kang, who went down to the second team, appeared as a starting pitcher in a Futures League game against Hanwha Eagles on the 2nd, recording 5⅓ innings, 3 hits allowed, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts, and no runs allowed. He has a 1.74 earned run average over two start appearances in the Futures League.

Lee Ji-kang was selected by LG in the 2nd round of the 2019 rookie draft as the 85th overall pick. Since Yeom Kyung-yup took command as LG's manager in 2023, his chances for appearances in the first team have increased as he has moved between bullpen and temporary starter roles. Last year, he played in 46 games (53⅔ innings), recording 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 hold, and 1 save with an earned run average of 4.53. This year, he has recorded 1 win, 1 loss, 1 hold, and 1 save in 8 games with an earned run average of 4.52 in the first team.

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