Kiwoom Heroes manager Hong Won-ki stated that there is still no confirmed timeline for the return of rookie pitcher Jeong Hyun-woo (19).
Kiwoom has established its starting lineup for the game against the Hanwha Eagles at the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' on the 11th at Seoul's Gocheok Sky Dome, including Song Seung-moon (third baseman), Choi Joo-hwan (designated hitter), Lee Joo-hyung (center fielder), Yasiel Puig (left fielder), Ruben Cardines (first baseman), Kim Tae-jin (shortstop), Park Joo-hong (right fielder), Kim Jae-hyun (catcher), and Jeon Tae-hyun (second baseman). The starting pitcher is Kim Yun-ha.
Ahead of the game, Park Ju-seong, Yang Ji-yul, Park Joo-hong, and Jeon Tae-hyun were called up to the first team, while Lee Yong-kyu, Seo Yu-shin, Son Hyun-ki, and Jeon Jun-pyo were removed from the first team roster. Lee Yong-kyu, who signed on as a playing coach, has been registered as a coach again. Manager Hong Won-ki noted, "Given the current circumstances of the team, we need to do something, whether it's with hitters or pitchers. Players whose condition is declining need to be quickly reintegrated, and players performing well in the second team should be utilized as soon as possible."
Kiwoom is currently at the bottom of the league with a record of 13 wins and 29 losses, and a winning percentage of .310. It is disappointing that Jeong Hyun-woo, the overall first-round rookie left-handed pitcher expected to shoulder a part of the starting rotation, has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury. Jeong Hyun-woo recorded 2 wins and an earned run average of 4.80 over 3 games (15 innings) this season and was removed from the first team roster on the 17th of last month. He has now started skills training in earnest to prepare for his comeback.
Manager Hong Won-ki said, "The hospital examination results indicate that there has been improvement. However, I cannot yet provide an exact return date or timing. For now, since he has no pain and the examination results show over 90% recovery, the priority should be to establish a specific schedule for the buildup process of gradually increasing the number of pitches from the training department."
Kiwoom explained, "Jeong Hyun-woo received an opinion on the 10th that the injured area (supraspinatus) has nearly healed. He is currently undergoing ITP in the second team and is expected to commence bullpen pitching as early as next week."
Jeon Jun-pyo, selected in the first round (8th overall) of the 2024 rookie draft, was substituted for player protection after feeling pain in his right latissimus dorsi during the last game. Manager Hong Won-ki stated, "Jeon Jun-pyo went down to the second team due to an injury and underwent rehabilitation. However, this time the injury occurred in a different area than the previously rehabilitated site, which is concerning. The rehabilitation process and the first team pitching process have not gone smoothly, and since he has pitched in consecutive games, we will need to monitor his progress closely."
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