SSG Landers' Choi Jeong (38) was substituted after being hit by a pitch during the game.
Choi was selected as the designated hitter batting third in the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League' game against the NC Dinos held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 29th.
In the bottom of the first inning with one out and a runner on first base, Choi drew a walk and scored on a one-RBI hit by Han Yoo-seom. In the third inning with one out, he was hit by a fastball at 146 km/h from NC's starting pitcher Logan Allen on his left shoulder, reaching base. This time, Lee Ji-young's one-RBI infield hit allowed him to score a second run in the game.
Even after being hit by the pitch, Choi remained on the base and continued to play aggressively, scoring as well. He was substituted for Oh Tae-gon in the third at-bat of the fifth inning when both teams were tied at 4-4 with one out. SSG explained that "Choi was substituted as a precaution due to pain in the left scapula area where he was hit by the pitch. There are no plans for a hospital examination."
Choi, who has a career batting average of .287 over 2,315 KBO games (7,970 at-bats, 2,287 hits), 504 home runs, 1,584 RBIs, 1,476 runs scored, 178 stolen bases, and an OPS of .922, is a franchise star representing SSG. Until last season, he held the record for the most home runs in KBO history with 495. He seemed poised to achieve his first 500 home runs this year, but suffered a hamstring injury during training in the exhibition season, preventing him from joining the opening game of the season.
After a delayed return from injury, Choi made his season debut on the 2nd against LG. On the 13th against NC, he successfully achieved his 500th home run. Choi, who continues to perform well, is still not in a fully ready state for defense due to the hamstring injury. In this situation, substitution after being hit by a pitch raised concerns among fans, but fortunately, it seems he has avoided a serious injury.
The game has SSG leading 5-4 until the bottom of the fifth inning.
[OSEN]