Chae Eun-seong (35), the 'captain' of the Hanwha Eagles in professional baseball, was hit by a sharply struck ball and was replaced. Concerns arise as he sustained an unexpected injury just as he had begun his characteristic hot streak with 3 home runs in 5 games this week.
Chae Eun-seong performed well in the home game against the Lotte Giants in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League, held at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 24th, starting as the designated hitter and first baseman, achieving 2 hits in 3 at-bats, including his 5th home run of the season and 2 RBIs.
Chae Eun-seong opened the scoring with a double over the center fielder's head in his first at-bat in the second inning, hitting Tucker Davidson's fourth pitch. He also hit a two-run home run in the fifth inning.
With two outs and a runner on first, he pulled Davidson's fifth pitch, which came in high at 146 kilometers per hour, over the left field fence. It was a distance of 115 meters, marking his 5th home run of the season.
Following his 3 home runs in 5 games this week, including matches on the 20th and 22nd against the NC Dinos, he has gained momentum.
However, he suffered an unexpected injury while fielding at first base in the seventh inning. With the score at 6-5 and no outs on a runner on second, Go Seung-min's sharply struck ball bounced twice before rising in front of Chae Eun-seong. Chae Eun-seong tried to block it with his body, but it struck his collarbone and deflected into an infield hit.
The moment he was hit by the ball, Chae Eun-seong collapsed in pain. He was immediately replaced by defensive substitute Kim In-hwan.
According to the Hanwha organization, Chae Eun-seong will move to Daejeon St. Mary's Hospital for an X-ray examination as soon as he is substituted.
For Hanwha, which is in a second place battle, it would be a significant issue if their core player Chae Eun-seong is sidelined. Everyone hopes it is not a serious injury.
[OSEN]