Yun Young-cheol will lend a hand
A setback has occurred for the KIA Tigers, who are having a difficult time. Right-handed starting pitcher Hwang Dong-ha has been sidelined due to a traffic accident. On the afternoon of the 8th, he was hit by a vehicle while crossing a crosswalk in Songdo-dong, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon. He was on his way back to the lodge after finishing a meal. He faced a frightening incident while crossing a crosswalk without signals.
Test results indicate that a long-term absence has become unavoidable. The club officially stated, "After undergoing CT and MRI examinations, it has been determined that he has fractures in the transverse processes of the second and third lumbar vertebrae, necessitating the use of a brace and rest for six weeks." He has no choice but to suspend exercise for six weeks. More time will be needed to prepare his body to pitch again.
Hwang Dong-ha is expected to be removed from the roster on the 9th. He was used as a substitute when Yun Young-cheol fell into a slump, after he had previously yielded his starting position. On the 7th, he received applause for a strong performance against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome, pitching five innings and allowing one run. Yang Hyun-jong, who had been struggling, also succeeded in bouncing back with six innings and one run in the previous day's game, making the five-man rotation look good for the first time in a while. However, Hwang Dong-ha's sudden accident has left an opening in the starting lineup again.
Hwang Dong-ha contributed to the regular season championship and the Korean Series championship last year by making 20 appearances as a substitute starting pitcher. This year, he raised his performance by speeding up his pitching. He started the season in the bullpen, falling behind Kim Do-hyun in the competition for a starting position. He has appeared in 13 games, recording one win and two losses with an earned run average of 5.32. Despite his recent improvement, his sudden traffic accident has been disappointing.
Left-hander Yun Young-cheol, who was waiting in the bullpen instead of the starting rotation, is expected to take over the reins again. Despite expectations as a long-standing starting pitcher for three years, he has not been able to recover his form since the start of the season. He struggled in three games, failing to last even three innings. He suffered losses in all the games, with an earned run average of 15.88 and a batting average against of .484.
After the Doosan game on April 18, he was removed from the roster for adjustments in the second team and returned on May 2. He was moved to the bullpen and assigned the long-man role behind the starters. However, he has not been given an opportunity to pitch in five games. Considering the rotation, a starting appearance against the Gwangju Lotte Giants on the 14th is expected. The team has suffered a significant setback with a seven-run loss on the 7th and the unfortunate traffic accident, leading to a greatly diminished atmosphere. It is a moment when Yun Young-cheol must surely lend a hand.
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