Hanwha Eagles' injured replacement foreign player Luis Liberato (30) is finally set to make his debut.
Hanwha unveiled its lineup against starting pitcher Raul Alcantara of the Kiwoom Heroes in their home game at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 22nd, consisting of Lee Jin-young (right fielder), Liberato (center fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Roh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), An Chi-hong (designated hitter), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), Choi Jae-hun (catcher), and Shim Woo-jun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Cody Ponce.
Liberato, who signed a 6-week contract worth $50,000 as a temporary replacement foreign player for Estevan Florial, who was placed on the foreign rehabilitation player list due to a fracture in his right pinky finger on the 17th, entered the country on the 19th and prepared for his debut against Kiwoom on the 20th. It seemed he would make a lightning-fast debut just three days after signing the contract.
However, due to heavy rain on the 20th and 21st, the games were canceled on consecutive days, delaying Liberato's debut by two days. Since he is in a temporary position for 6 weeks, it might be disappointing for Liberato to not step into the batter's box as quickly as possible to adapt to Korean pitchers. On the positive side, he has gained time to adjust his condition while adapting to the time difference.
The left-handed, left-hitting outfielder Liberato from the Dominican Republic experienced 7 games in the Major Leagues with the San Diego Padres in 2022. He played 11 seasons in the minor leagues and performed this year in the Mexican League. He had a batting average of .373 in 29 games (126 at-bats, 47 hits), with 8 home runs and 29 RBIs, showcasing good hitting form before coming to Korea.
Along with Liberato, FA acquisition Shim Woo-jun, who was registered to the first team on the 20th, will also make his return as the starting shortstop. After being sidelined due to a fibula fracture from being hit by a pitch in the game against Kiwoom on the 10th of last month, Shim rehabbing participated in two Future League games on the 18th and 19th. This will be his return to the first team after 43 days.
Starting pitcher Cody Ponce has been slated for the third consecutive day. Although his appearance has been delayed by two days due to rain, he will take the mound with the longest rest since the start of the season, having rested for 7 days. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon noted, "I asked Ponce himself, and he said he wanted to go out there," adding, "Alcantara, the opposing pitcher, is also a good player, and I think there will be a good game. I don't know what variables there might be, but I'll make sure the game is enjoyable and goes well."
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