The professional baseball team LG Twins is at risk of losing both its closer and leadoff hitter. LG has returned to a tie for the lead, but it was a victory marked only by injuries.

LG won 9-6 against Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium on the 13th. That day, Hanwha Eagles lost in an extra inning battle against Doosan Bears, leaving LG tied for first place with Hanwha (27 wins, 14 losses).

However, bad news was reported before the game. LG removed pitcher Jang Hyun-sik from the first team roster due to injury. Jang Hyun-sik received a diagnosis of a minor injury to his right latissimus dorsi following a hospital examination. He is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks. The back-to-back appearances in three games, including a doubleheader against Samsung over the weekend, were detrimental.

Jang Hyun-sik appeared in the 9th inning of both games one and two of the doubleheader against Samsung on the 10th, achieving two saves with one inning of scoreless pitching each time. He also achieved a save with one inning of scoreless pitching in the 9th inning of the game against Samsung on the 11th.

According to LG officials, Jang Hyun-sik had no issues with his physical condition after his Sunday appearance. However, he felt unwell on Monday and underwent an examination, which revealed a minor injury to his latissimus dorsi. It was the first time he pitched in three consecutive games of the season, which resulted in an issue.

This is his second injury. Last November, LG signed free agent Jang Hyun-sik to a four-year guaranteed contract worth 5.2 billion won to strengthen the bullpen. However, he suffered an injury to his right ankle during spring training and made his LG debut in early April. He took on the closer role, responsible for the back end, but has been sidelined again due to injury. Jang Hyun-sik recorded 1 loss and 8 saves with a 1.17 earned run average over 15 games.

In that game, leadoff hitter Hong Chang-ki hit his first home run of the season, recording 2 hits, 3 RBIs, and 1 run scored in 5 at-bats. However, an accident occurred in the 9th inning of the bottom of the 9th while leading 9-6. With two outs and the bases loaded, first baseman Kim Min-soo, second baseman Koo Bon-hyuk, and right fielder Hong Chang-ki all rushed for a foul ball hit by Park Joo-hong.

Kim Min-soo tried to catch the ball at the drop point but failed and fell backward while landing on his buttocks. Hong Chang-ki, who was following behind, collided with Kim Min-soo's left knee. Hong Chang-ki collapsed and showed immense pain, contorting his face. He raised his right hand toward the bench to signal that there was a problem. Hong Chang-ki could not get up. An ambulance arrived, and he was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. His knee appeared to be severely injured.

According to an official from LG, around midnight, 'Player Hong Chang-ki has a left knee injury, and the results and detailed information will be confirmed later through additional tests. I will inform you tomorrow morning (14th).'

Hong Chang-ki is batting .269 this season, with an on-base percentage of .395 and an OPS of .708. He struggled with batting in the early part of the season, but his batting average increased to .368 over 10 games in May.

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