He said it was "much better."
The KIA Tigers' starting rotation welcomes back a vital player. Lee Eui-ri, who had undergone elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in June last year and spent over a year in rehabilitation, is finally set to throw in a real game. On the 15th, Lee successfully executed live pitching at Hampyeong Challenger's Field. He threw 45 pitches, utilizing all his pitches: fastball, curveball, changeup, and slider.
Initially, Lee was scheduled to start against NC Dinos in the Futures League on the 14th for his real game debut. However, the KIA organization approached this cautiously, opting for another live pitching session instead. The organization stated that there were no issues with his physical condition; it was simply a matter of exercising caution.
As a result, the Futures League game that Lee was supposed to pitch on the 14th was canceled due to rain. The live pitching allowed his rehabilitation schedule to stay on track, progressing smoothly. Manager Lee Bum-ho remarked on Lee’s live pitching, saying, "He threw 45 pitches, and afterward, he stated that his physical condition was much better," adding, "I think he will take a day or two off, and based on his arm condition and recovery speed, the schedule for his next pitching will be determined." If there are no issues such as stiffness in the elbow and his recovery speed is steady, he is expected to make a real appearance in the Futures League.
If preparations are made quickly, he could return by the end of the first half. However, Manager Lee Bum-ho is not considering a return until the second half. He mentioned, "Even if he comes back in the second half, he will only throw one less game," stating that in the Futures League, he needs to throw up to 80 pitches to be ready for the first team, and then it would take about 60 to 70 pitches before his strength drops. "It seems he will need to pitch 2 or 3 times in the Futures League to reach 80 pitches. It will be important for the player and training staff to discuss and set the dates," he commented. Since being drafted first overall in 2021, Lee has made a name for himself by claiming the Rookie of the Year title with a record of 4 wins, 5 losses, and a 3.61 ERA over 94⅔ innings in 19 games during his debut season. In 2022, he recorded 10 wins and 10 losses with a 3.86 ERA over 29 games, and in 2023, he achieved 11 wins and 7 losses with a 3.96 ERA over 28 games, solidifying himself as a consistent starting pitcher for two consecutive years. However, his career came to a halt temporarily after undergoing elbow surgery last year.
He is both the present and future of the KIA mound. Following in the footsteps of "great pitcher" Yang Hyun-jong, he must continue the legacy of the ace. Therefore, there is no rush. While injuries have left the team in a critical situation, the focus is on a gradual recovery. Manager Lee Bum-ho expressed, "Right now, it’s not about whether Lee should throw one more game or throw less. He had successful surgery and rehabilitation in a good place. We need to ensure that he can pitch comfortably for another 10 years. That is our coaching staff's responsibility. It’s important to go slowly but steadily," he emphasized. While James Neill, Adam Oller, Yang Hyun-jong, Yoon Young-chul, and Kim Do-hyun form the current rotation, it cannot be considered the best. If Lee joins the rotation, it will allow the existing pitchers to take some rest. Manager Lee is also looking forward to this aspect, stating, "If Lee comes in and performs well while our starting pitchers are fatigued, each starting pitcher will be able to have some rest. I think that will allow the rotation to function smoothly without major problems."
Both the KIA organization and Manager Lee Bum-ho are eagerly awaiting Lee's return, but they are exercising patience for a healthy comeback and a brighter future.
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