There was a reason for the blood. Jang Du-seong, who had been performing well after the main outfield player was injured, suffered a shocking injury. Lotte is now dealing with concerns about Jang Du-seong and the dilemma of filling one spot in the outfield.

On the 12th, Jang Du-seong played against the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park, with a performance of 3 hits, 3 RBIs, 1 run, and 1 walk in 5 at-bats. In a game that started with a score of 0-6, he produced a crucial 2-RBI triple and earned a walk that set up a comeback in the 10th inning of extra time.

However, Jang Du-seong could not share in the joy of victory. In the 10th inning, tied at 7-7, he reached base with a walk against KT's closer Park Young-hyun. Soon after, while Park Young-hyun attempted to make a pickoff throw to first base, he was hit in the right side of his torso, causing him to tumble and roll into the foul territory. Jang Du-seong briefly complained of pain but, following a signal from first base coach Yoo Jae-sin, sprinted to second base.

However, Jang Du-seong collapsed and could not get up immediately. After sliding into second base, he was seen spitting blood, prompting immediate medical attention from trainers and medical staff, and he was transported to the hospital in an ambulance. While it was confirmed that he experienced pain around the ribs, the cause of the blood was unknown.

Jang Du-seong was moved to a nearby Hwahang Hospital. Ultimately, detailed examinations revealed that he had bruising on his lung, which caused bleeding. The team announced on the morning of the 13th, "Jang Du-seong is planned to be hospitalized at Hwahang Hospital for 4 to 5 days due to lung bruising before moving to Busan." It has been confirmed that he will be removed from the first team roster.

Though there are instances when a pitcher's pickoff attempts hit a runner, it is rare for it to cause lung bruising. This suggests that Park Young-hyun's pickoff attempt was particularly strong, and it could also indicate that Jang Du-seong was hit in a vulnerable area.

Lotte, who played 6 out of 9 consecutive games in the metropolitan area, continues to perform well with a record of 4 wins and 2 losses, having secured two straight winning series. They were at risk of falling into a poor trend, but achieved a comeback victory against KT on the 11th and 12th with their fierce determination.

However, with Jang Du-seong, who had played significantly this season with a batting average of .330 (47 hits in 155 at-bats), 23 RBIs, 34 runs, and 9 stolen bases, out of the lineup, Lotte's outfield has once again become thin.

Hwang Seung-bin had already sustained a fracture to his fourth metacarpal on his left hand during a sliding play against SSG on May 5 and underwent surgery. He is expected to be sidelined for up to 10 weeks.

At the moment when Jang Du-seong was effectively filling in for Hwang Seung-bin, Yoon Dong-hee, who had been leading the outfield along with him, was also ruled out of the first team on the 6th after sustaining a muscular injury in the left thigh. He had been managing the issue, which was not improving, but it worsened unexpectedly. He is scheduled to undergo a reassessment in two weeks, and his rehabilitation and return timeline will be determined based on the results.

Both Hwang Seung-bin and Yoon Dong-hee are unlikely to play for the first half of the season. Jang Du-seong also has a high possibility of being absent for more than ten days, depending on his recovery. With all three players, who invigorate the batting lineup and possess strong defensive capabilities in the outfield, unavailable, Lotte's outfield situation has become critical.

Currently, the team is without three starting outfielders. Backup Kim Dong-hyeok will have to fill the center fielder position, while hitters Reyes and Jeon Jun-woo will both have to step in as outfielders. Fortunately, the upcoming away game against SSG Landers will be played at a stadium with a smaller outfield, which reduces defensive burdens, but there is no avoiding a drop in defensive strength.

If Reyes and Jeon Jun-woo both play as outfielders, there aren’t enough backup members available. Although rookie Han Seung-hyun has joined the first team, he is not yet a player that manager Kim Tae-hyoung can rely on. Outfielder Jo Se-jin, who went down to the second team on the 5th, is still not eligible for first team registration.

Though he was the starting second baseman, Go Seung-min, due to Na Seung-yeop's poor performance and eye injury absence, may also have to take on outfield duties as he has experience in that position.

The injury of a player who is just beginning to blossom in their career is concerning and regrettable for both the individual and the team along with the fans. At the same time, they are also in a position where they have to figure out how to manage the outfield.

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