Why did the Lotte Giants' manager Kim Tae-hyoung inform a healthy starting catcher of an indefinite move to the second team?
The Lotte Giants dropped starting catcher Yoo Kang-nam to the second team and promoted catcher Jeung Bo-keun ahead of the 9th game of the season against the Doosan Bears in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Seoul's Jamsil Stadium on the 8th.
Yoo Kang-nam had been responsible for the Lotte home for 78 days since the opening. Even without an injury, why was he suddenly informed of the move to the second team? Manager Kim Tae-hyoung explained, “His ability to catch steals, defense, and blocking have become much less sharp since his knee injury. Although I received a lot of nagging from the manager about ball combinations, that's something I can resolve by giving a sign. I replaced him yesterday due to a steal,” and added, “I think he needs more preparation in the second team. We haven't set a call-up timeline.”
Manager Kim Tae-hyoung also informed battery coach Jung Sang-ho and bench coach Kim Min-jae of their move to the second team. The new first-team battery coach is Baek Yong-hwan, who has been the second-team battery coach for the Lotte Giants since 2023.
Manager Kim Tae-hyoung stated about the removal of coach Jung Sang-ho, “I told him to go down with Yoo Kang-nam and prepare well,” and added, bench coach Kim Min-jae said, “Given his physical condition, I brought him down to fulfill the role of head coach in the second team and to receive accurate reports. However, Kim Min-jae will move between the first and second teams.”
Lotte set the starting lineup against Doosan's starting pitcher Kwak Bin, which includes Jang Du-seong (center fielder), Han Tae-yang (second baseman), Víctor Reyes (designated hitter), Jeon Jun-woo (left fielder), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Jung Hoon (first baseman), Kim Dong-hyeok (right fielder), and Jeung Bo-keun (catcher). The starting pitcher is Alec Gamboa.
Go Seung-min was designated to wait as a pinch hitter due to knee pain, while Jeon Min-jae, who had blurry vision from a headshot the day before, fortunately, recovered.
Updates on rehabilitation for injured players such as Na Seung-yeop, Yoon Dong-hee, and Hwang Seong-bin were also shared. Manager Kim Tae-hyoung sighed and said, “Once Na Seung-yeop's eyes are better, he should be able to return immediately, but it seems tough for Yoon Dong-hee and Hwang Seong-bin to return in the first half.”
Regarding the return of pitcher Yoon Seong-bin, who is reorganizing in the second team, he remarked, “There will be an opportunity someday. Just not now.”
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