The LG Twins' bullpen is expected to operate under emergency measures for the time being.

Following relief pitcher Jang Hyun-sik, Kim Kang-ryul will also need about four weeks of rehabilitation. Bae Jae-jun is in the same situation. Yoo Young-chan, who has completed rehabilitation after elbow surgery and made his first appearance in the Futures League, is expected to join the first team around the weekend next week.

In the LG bullpen, Jang Hyun-sik left on the 13th due to damage to his latissimus dorsi. Following that, Kim Kang-ryul was excluded from the first team roster on the 14th due to shoulder discomfort. Recently, Bae Jae-jun, who had been pitching almost in the closing role, was also removed from the first team roster on the 18th due to shoulder discomfort.

It was projected that Jang Hyun-sik would need about four weeks of rehabilitation due to the injury. Manager Youm Kyoung-youb noted during the roster removal of Kim Kang-ryul and Bae Jae-jun, "It's better to take 10 days off and return safely." However, both Kim Kang-ryul and Bae Jae-jun, who were removed from the roster with slight discomfort in their shoulders, received a diagnosis of minor muscle damage.

Manager Youm Kyoung-youb explained about the injured players on the 22nd at Sajik Stadium, "It seems that everyone will take about a month. Jang Hyun-sik, Kim Kang-ryul, and Bae Jae-jun will need about a month. Since all of them have minor damage, it will take at least a month for recovery," He anticipates their return to the first team around late June.

The LG Twins acquired Jang Hyun-sik with a four-year guaranteed contract worth 5.2 billion won during the last winter. After suffering an ankle injury during spring training, he recorded 1 loss, 8 saves, and an earned run average of 1.17 in 15 games this season. Kim Kang-ryul was signed with a total contract of 1.4 billion won for 3+1 years. This year, he recorded 1 win, 1 save, 4 holds, and an earned run average of 1.46 in 12 games.

Still, there is good news. Yoo Young-chan recorded 1 inning with 1 hit, 1 strikeout, and no earned runs in the Futures League game against the NC Dinos held at LG Champions Park in Icheon on the 22nd.

He recorded a maximum fastball speed of 148 km/h and a minimum of 145 km/h. He threw 10 fastballs, 4 sliders, and 4 forks, with 14 strikes out of 18 pitches.

Yoo Young-chan appeared in the 7th inning, in a pressure-free situation with a significant deficit of 3-10. He recorded the first out by catching Park Si-won for a pop fly to left field. He allowed a double to Do Tae-hoon to right-center. With one out and a runner on second, he got Jo Hyo-won out on a ground ball to third base and struck out Kim Bum-jun swinging to finish the inning.

Manager Youm Kyoung-youb commented on Yoo Young-chan's pitching, saying, "For a first game, the velocity was very good. Also, he said that he felt no major issues after pitching. However, to be safe, I plan to have him throw another bullpen session, pitch in the game, and be called up next weekend. Anything perfect is good."

Initially, if the fastball speed exceeded 145 km/h, the plan was to promote him to the first team and have him pitch in a comfortable situation before assigning him to the closing role later. However, since he recorded a speed of 148 km/h, they decided to wait another week to ensure he doesn't get injured again. Even though there are essentially only two reliable players left in the bullpen, Kim Jin-sung and Park Myeong-geun, they are not hurrying.

Yoo Young-chan made his debut in the first team in 2023, recording 67 games, 6 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, 12 holds, and an earned run average of 3.44. He contributed to LG's combined championship while taking on closing duties from the middle of the season.

In the 2024 season, he took over the closing role following Ko Woo-seok's move to the U.S., recording 62 games, 7 wins, 5 losses, 26 saves, 1 hold, and an earned run average of 2.97. He excelled as a rookie closer. However, after completing the Premier 12 tournament in Taiwan last November, he experienced issues with his physical condition and underwent elbow surgery.

On the 22nd, during the match against Lotte at Sajik, the bullpen members Kim Jin-sung, Park Myeong-geun, Lee Ji-kang, and Sung Dong-hyun were on rest and unable to pitch. Manager Youm Kyoung-youb said with a wry smile, "Today, we just have to endure as a trailing team."

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