The NC Dinos' long-awaited bullpen reinforcement has returned. Left-handed pitcher Kim Young-kyu has been registered for the first time this season.
Before the regular season game against the KIA Tigers at Changwon NC Park on the 13th, NC registered left-handed bullpen asset Kim Young-kyu to the first team roster. Right-handed pitcher Kim Jin-ho has been removed from the roster.
This is Kim Young-kyu's first registration for the first team this season. Kim Young-kyu achieved his first 20 holds in his career with a record of 2 wins, 4 losses, and 24 holds, along with an earned run average of 3.06 in 63 games in 2023. He had his best season as he also won a gold medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.
However, in the following season, 2024, he experienced elbow inflammation while preparing for the rotation process and subsequently returned to the bullpen. He recorded 4 wins, 2 losses, 14 holds, and 1 save with an earned run average of 3.15 in 42 games.
He was unable to complete the season. After being removed from the first team on Aug. 3, 2024, due to shoulder pain, he was unable to return during the regular season. Even this season, while following a normal rehabilitation process, he couldn't progress to the next stage, which slowed his recovery speed. Ultimately, he prepared for the season as a bullpen pitcher again, and he recently played in a second team game.
On May 31, he recorded a scoreless inning against Samsung in the Futures League, and on June 6, he had another scoreless inning against Lotte, completing his rehabilitation appearances and getting registered again that day. It was his first registration to the first team in 315 days.
Kim Jin-ho, who was removed instead of Kim Young-kyu, had a record of 2 wins, 6 holds, and an earned run average of 3.07 in 32 games. It was a removal from the first team for rest purposes.
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