Park Jin-man, the manager of the Samsung Lions, has withdrawn his plan to call up Oh Seung-hwan (43) to the first team.

Park stated in an interview before the game against the Kiwoom Heroes in the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 21st, "I received a report that Oh Seung-hwan pitched in the Futures League today, and it seems he needs more time."

Oh Seung-hwan is regarded as Korea's top closer, with a career record of 726 games (794⅔ innings), 44 wins, 33 losses, 19 holds, 427 saves, and an earned run average of 2.25. However, last season he had disappointing numbers with 3 wins, 9 losses, 2 holds, 27 saves, and an earned run average of 4.91 in 58 games (55 innings), and he has yet to appear in a game this season. In the Futures League game against Lotte that day, Oh pitched 1 inning, allowing 2 hits and 1 run.

In an interview on the 20th, Park noted that Oh Seung-hwan could join the first team as early as the weekend. He explained, "His top speed was clocked at 145 km/h, but that was just one instance. His average speed is in the low 140 km/h range. The Futures League team judged that he needs to improve his stuff a bit more. Originally, Hong Dong-jae was supposed to pitch as the starter on Friday, and changes to the roster were to follow, but based on today's report, it was decided that he needs more time." He added, "For now, I believe he needs to improve his stuff and velocity further."

Samsung's starting lineup consists of Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Kim Sung-yoon (right fielder), Koo Ja-wook (left fielder), Lewin Diaz (designated hitter), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Park Byeong-ho (first baseman), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), and Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Ariel Hurado. Lim Chang-min has been called up to the first team, while Lee Byeong-heon has been sent down to the second team.

Lim Chang-min has recorded 1 hold and an earned run average of 5.87 in 8 games (7⅔ innings) this season. He had not appeared in a first-team game since his outing against Lotte on the 18th of last month due to injury, but he returned that day. In the Futures League, he has a record of 1 win and an earned run average of 0.00 in 2 games (2 innings).

Park remarked, "We need experienced relief pitchers right now, so we called up Lim Chang-min. He had a setback with an elbow injury and was sent to the second team, but he pitched in the Futures League and was deemed fine, so he was called up immediately. Instead of using him as a high-leverage option right away, we'll let him adjust in lower pressure situations for a few games."

Currently, Lee Ho-seong, who is serving as the closer, pitched in the ninth inning of the last game when Samsung was leading 2-1, but he recorded 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 run in 1 inning, resulting in a blown save. His season record stands at 23 games (22 innings), with 3 wins, 1 loss, 3 holds, 1 save, and an earned run average of 7.36.

Park said, "It’s not easy for a pitcher taking on the closer role for the first time. Still, we’ve designated him as the closer, so we will give him more opportunities. I think he will improve as he gains experience, and we must have faith in him."

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