Kia Tigers bullpen utility player Kim Gun-guk, who complained of pain after being hit by a batted ball, has been removed from the first-team roster.

The professional baseball Kia Tigers excluded right-handed pitcher Kim Gun-guk from the first-team roster on the 19th, when there were no games.

Kim Gun-guk made a relief appearance in a home game against the Doosan Bears in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 18th, pitching ⅔ inning, recording one strikeout, and leaving without allowing a run before being replaced.

With a 4-3 lead in the top of the seventh inning and a crisis with no outs and runners on first and third, Kim Gun-guk took the mound after Kim Ki-hoon. He struck out the first batter, Yang Eui-ji, with a six-pitch showdown, but was hit hard on his left calf by a batted ball from Kim Jae-hwan. Kim Do-young caught the ball that ricocheted off his leg and forced out the runner at second base, but in the meantime, the runner on third base, Jeong Soo-bin, scored to tie the game.

Kim Gun-guk collapsed on the mound and complained of severe pain. While receiving emergency treatment from the trainer, the replacement signal was immediately given by head coach Son Seung-rak, and Kim Gun-guk was helped off the field by the trainer. Kim Jae-hwan, who reached first base as a position player, went to the mound and watched Kim Gun-guk's condition with concern, then expressed his apologies when the player got up.

Kim Gun-guk regrettably finished the game after handing the baton to Jang Jae-hyuk.

A Kia official explained on the 19th, "Kim Gun-guk has been removed from the roster after being hit on the left calf by a batted ball." Kim Gun-guk's first-team record is 11 games without a win or loss and an earned run average of 7.53.

Meanwhile, Kiwoom Heroes acquired Raul Alcantara and placed Yasiel Puig and pitcher Oh Seok-joo on waivers, while Lotte Giants put pitcher Jeong Woo-jun and NC Dinos removed outfielder Park Si-won from the first team.

LG Twins have removed coach Kim Yong-ui from the first team. Remaining coach Kim Yong-ui filled in for coach Mo Chang-min, who underwent surgery, and after a week of duties, returned to his original position.

The KBO League will kick off a new week with games on the 20th, featuring SSG vs. Doosan (Jamsil), Samsung vs. Kiwoom (Gocheok), LG vs. Lotte (Busan), Kia vs. KT (Suwon), and Hanwha vs. NC (Ulsan).

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