After 33 years, the Hanwha Eagles, currently on 12 consecutive wins and leading the standings, faced an injury setback. Despite effectively managing injuries with no players on the injured list among the 10 teams this season, they could not avoid injuries caused by hit by pitches.

On the 12th, Hanwha erased Sim Woo-jun from the first-team roster with no game scheduled. Sim, who was substituted after being hit on the left knee in the game against Kiwoom on the 10th, took a rest by missing the game on the 11th but ultimately was removed from the roster.

I thought a few days of rest would help, but the condition was more serious than expected. The Hanwha team noted that on the 12th, Sim Woo-jun underwent two hospital examinations, and following CT scans and double-checks, it was determined he would need about two weeks of rest due to a fibula fracture. The fibula is the bone located outside just below the knee.

Due to the need for a re-evaluation two weeks later, the exact total rehabilitation period cannot be confirmed at this point, and approximately four weeks will be required until normal training can resume. It is anticipated that he will be unable to play for at least a month.

This year, Hanwha was the only team among the 10 that had no players on the injured list. In the month and a half since the opening, KIA has had five players listed on the injured list a total of seven times. This was followed by KT (5), Lotte, NC, and Kiwoom (4 each), Samsung and Doosan (3 each), SSG (2), and LG (1) in terms of players moving on and off the injured list. Considering the long-term injured players who are not listed, even more players have been sidelined.

However, Hanwha has had no players on the injured list and has managed injuries so well that there are no long-term absences. Although Ahn Chi-hong was removed from the first-team roster twice due to abdominal pain and wrist pain, and Choi In-ho was removed from the roster for protective reasons after injuring his thigh in a collision with Ha Joo-seok during outfield defense in the game against NC on the 18th of last month.

Utilizing its best lineup without significant injuries has been Hanwha's secret to its invisible rise to the top. However, injuries caused by hit by pitches during the game are incidents that cannot be prevented.

For Hanwha, which has accumulated an impressive 23 wins out of 26 games, including the recent 12-game winning streak, this is undoubtedly a major setback. Hanwha's current upswing is based on a strong pitching staff and stable defense. The departure of Sim Woo-jun, the starting shortstop who is central to solid defensive play, marks the first crisis for Hanwha in maintaining its lead. Currently, Hanwha (27 wins, 13 losses, .675 winning percentage) has a one-game lead over LG (26 wins, 14 losses, .650 winning percentage).

Sim Woo-jun, who joined Hanwha after leaving KT with a maximum four-year, 5 billion won free-agent contract last winter, has recorded a batting average of .170 (16 hits in 94 at-bats), 1 home run, and 9 RBIs over 33 games this season. Although his hitting has been poor, he made notable impacts, including a decisive two-run double in the opening game against KT on March 22, a go-ahead solo home run in the fourth inning against LG on the 29th of last month, and a three-RBI double during a clean sweep in the seventh inning against Samsung on the 7th.

Most importantly, he held the center line of Hanwha's defense with stable play. In 261⅓ innings as a shortstop, he had only three errors. His smooth footwork, ball handling, and accurate throws helped Hanwha's pitchers, who have the highest infield groundout/flyout ratio at 1.19. Hanwha also improved its defense this year, climbing from fifth least errors (105) last year to a joint second place (21). The defensive efficiency ratio (DER) for successfully handling in-play balls also sharply increased from 10th (.649) last year to second (.707), showcasing the effect of signing Sim Woo-jun.

While the loss of Sim Woo-jun is disappointing, Hanwha has substitute players for the shortstop position. Versatile infielder YIDO and veteran Ha Joo-seok, who is in the second team, are available. This season, Hanwha won all seven games in which Sim Woo-jun was rested for back pain management. Ha Joo-seok started in four games and YIDO in three, effectively covering Sim's absence.

Especially, Ha Joo-seok remained in the first team from the 8th to the 24th of last month, where he played seven games with a batting average of .278 (5 hits in 18 at-bats), 1 RBI, and an OPS of .705. He did not commit any errors during his six games (four starts) for 34⅔ innings at shortstop. Following the previous injury of Choi Jae-hoon to his inner thigh, catcher Heo In-seo was called up on the 25th of last month, causing Ha Joo-seok to be demoted but now he receives another opportunity due to Sim Woo-jun's injury. This is a chance to showcase his value.

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