The LG Twins have decided to give Im Chan-kyu a rest in the starting rotation following Son Ju-yeong.

Manager Youm Kyoung-youb said before the game against Hanwha at Hanwha Life Baseball Park on the 15th, "Chan-kyu has been taken out of today's entry as well. I think he needs to take a break." He also noted, "Since his fastball speed hasn't gone above 138 km/h, it would be better to let him rest quickly."

He explained, "So far this season, he has pitched the highest number of innings compared to previous years. He has pitched so well that he has achieved the most innings. I always believe that allowing him to rest well now will help him go further. After consulting with the training staff, we have decided to let Chan-kyu take a turn off. He will rest for ten days and return."

Im Chan-kyu has made 14 appearances this season (86⅓ innings) and recorded 8 wins, 2 losses, and an earned run average of 2.61, including a performance of 6 innings without giving up a run against Hanwha on the 14th. His innings pitched ranks 4th in the league, which is the highest among domestic pitchers. He will start managing before minor injuries occur. On the 15th, he was not included in the KBO's announced list of players missing from the first team roster. Im Chan-kyu is expected to be removed from the first team entry on the 16th.

However, LG already excluded Son Ju-yeong from the first team roster for rest on the 5th. If Im Chan-kyu is also excluded, it will create gaps in two starting rotation positions next week.

Manager Youm noted, "We have to endure. There’s another rain forecast next Friday. On Thursday (the 19th against NC), Choi Chae-hung will start. If Chae-hung pitches well, the pitching situation for Friday's game (the 20th against Doosan) will improve." The game against Doosan on the 20th is expected to be a bullpen day.

On the 15th, LG's bullpen operation will include closer Yoo Young-chan and setup man Park Myeong-geun taking a rest after pitching multiple innings the previous day. Jang Hyun-sik, who pitched 23 pitches in the last game, is available for consecutive appearances. Manager Youm stated, "Hyun-sik is now cleared to pitch again, so he can pitch. Young-chan and Myeong-geun need to rest today."

Veteran bullpen pitcher Kim Jin-sung entered the game in the 7th inning with one out and runners on the first and third base on the 14th, where he forced Lee Won-seok into a ground ball double play on the first pitch to escape the jam. He threw one pitch before being replaced by Lee Ji-kang in the 8th inning.

Manager Youm explained, "I don't want to force anyone into multi-inning appearances. Players themselves say that if they pitch one inning and then have to go out again for another, it becomes too difficult. Whether they throw one or two pitches, I don’t put them in unless they want to throw. Why? It reduces motivation. If forced, they lose motivation. The choice is always asked of the players. I consulted with them after they pitched one pitch yesterday, but if they say they can’t pitch, I can’t force them to go out."

That day, Austin, who was initially in the starting lineup but replaced by a pinch hitter in the first inning due to discomfort in his side, will start as he recovers from a minor injury.

Manager Youm said, "It’s fortunate that Austin feels okay to go out today. If he had not been available, it would have been difficult to arrange the batting order if Dong-won also could not play." He continued, "Bo-gyeong has to play as a designated hitter today because he can't play defense. If Bo-gyeong is out of defense, I cannot use Dong-won as a designated hitter separately."

On the 15th, LG will field Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Kim Hyun-soo (left fielder), Austin (first baseman), Moon Bo-gyeong (designated hitter), Moon Sung-ju (right fielder), Gu Bon-hyeok (shortstop), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), Lee Young-bin (third baseman), and Park Hae-min (center fielder) against Hanwha.

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