Two strong reinforcements have joined the Hanwha Eagles in professional baseball. The outfielder Luis Liberato (30) and shortstop Shim Woo-jun (30), who has recovered from a fibula fracture, arrived on the same day.
On the 20th, Hanwha registered outfielder Liberato and infielder Shim Woo-jun in the first team roster before the game against Daejeon Kiwoom was canceled due to rain. Lee Won-seok, who is experiencing a left hamstring strain, and Lee Sang-hyuk were removed from the roster.
Liberato, who entered Korea on the 19th with his wife and 14-month-old daughter, was named in the starting lineup as the No. 2 batter and center fielder before the rain cancellation. His KBO League debut was postponed by a day due to rain.
Kim Kyung-moon, the Hanwha manager, said about Liberato, who met the team in the indoor practice facility, "The nature of South American players tends to be cheerful. I think he will show a different personality compared to the quieter style of Florial," and added, "(As for his skills) I don't know yet because he hasn't played. I saw him greet and practice, but he needs time for now."
After having a conversation with Liberato, Manager Kim Kyung-moon ordered, "It may be a burden, but please inject some vitality into the team." Kim laughed, saying, "I couldn't understand what he was saying, but he seemed cheerful."
Liberato expressed his determination, saying, "I was happy that all the players welcomed me so warmly. The manager also shared many good words, and even the younger players came to me first and treated me kindly. I want to do well."
The left-handed, left-hitting outfielder Liberato from the Dominican Republic came to Korea as an injury replacement foreign player for Estevan Florial, who was on the rehabilitation list due to a fracture of his right pinky finger. Although his major league career consists solely of seven games with the San Diego Padres in 2022, he has played 11 seasons in the minor leagues.
This year, he performed in the Mexican League with a batting average of .373 (47 hits in 126 at-bats), hitting eight home runs and 29 RBIs, with an OPS of 1.138. A veteran with plenty of experience as a center fielder, he signed a contract with Hanwha for $50,000 over six weeks on the 17th.
Shim Woo-jun also returned to the first team roster on this day alongside Liberato. He was scheduled to start as the No. 9 batter and shortstop but will take another day off due to the rain.
Shim Woo-jun, who suffered a fibula fracture after getting hit on the left knee by a pitch from opponent pitcher Son Hyun-kyu in the 4th inning of the game against Kiwoom on the 10th of last month, has recovered and made his return 39 days later through the Futures League game against LG on the 18th. He completed his practical check after playing two games as a shortstop in the Futures League until the 19th before being promoted to the first team.
Manager Kim stated, "I didn't register Shim Woo-jun to expect hitting from him. I will hold back a bit on stolen bases right now. I don't want to push him until he is fully fit. There have been cases where players with injuries try to steal bases and end up getting hurt. He should fully focus on defense for now," emphasizing a temporary halt on stolen bases.
Meanwhile, Hanwha will stick to Cody Ponce, who was announced as the starter for the game against Kiwoom on the 21st. Kiwoom will delay their announced starter Raul Alcantara to the game on the 22nd and instead will start Jeong Hyun-woo on the scheduled date of the 21st.
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