The Japanese media focused on the news of KIA Tigers' 'superstar' Kim Do-young's hamstring injury.
On the 27th, Kim Do-young stole second base after hitting a one-RBI clutch hit in the fifth inning with two outs during the game against the Kiwoom Heroes in Gwangju. After feeling pain in his right thigh, Kim Do-young was replaced by pinch runner Kim Kyu-sung.
Kim Do-young moved to the team-designated hospital for a detailed examination and was diagnosed with a damaged right hamstring. The club sent the footage of Kim Do-young's initial examination to a certain hospital in Seoul for cross-verification, which determined a grade 2 injury of the right hamstring.
Manager Lee Bum-ho expressed deep regret before the game on the 28th, saying, “It didn’t look that bad when he walked out, but the results came out unfavorable. It seems it will take longer for him to return to the first team. It didn’t take long when it was not serious at the start of the season. I still don’t know whether he can return in the first half. I think we will find out the return timing through reexamination. Having Kim Do-young or not is a world of difference.”
The Japanese sports media Tokyo Sports reported on the day that Kim Do-young's injury caused a shock in the KBO League. KIA's 'superstar' Kim Do-young injured his right hamstring while attempting to steal second base in the fifth inning during the game against Kiwoom on the 27th. The detailed examination revealed a grade 2 injury, and he is scheduled for reexamination in four weeks, but a return in the first half seems virtually impossible.
This media outlet noted, “Kim Do-young was sidelined due to a left hamstring injury (grade 1) in the regular season opener against NC Dinos on March 22, but he returned to the first team about a month later on April 25.”
After his return to the first team, Kim Do-young appeared in 27 games, posting a batting average of .337 with 7 home runs and 26 RBIs. He particularly showcased a fierce batting feeling by hitting home runs in four consecutive games recently.
Tokyo Sports reported, “This time, he injured the opposite hamstring, and the extent of the injury is more severe,” adding, “It seems that Kim Do-young could not hide his shock and switched his SNS account to private right after the injury.”
It added, “With an astonishing performance of a batting average of .347, 38 home runs, 109 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases last year, Kim Do-young led KIA to the overall championship and won the MVP award, making him a treasure of the KBO expected to advance to Major League Baseball.”
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