The KBO League debut of foreign pitcher Herson Garabito of the Samsung Lions has been confirmed.

Garabito, who newly joined Samsung to replace Denny Reyes, who left the team due to a minor fracture in his right foot, was scheduled to pitch in a home game against the Lotte Giants in the Futures League at Gyeongsan Ballpark on the 22nd. However, the game was canceled due to ground conditions, and he participated in live pitching.

Ahead of the game against Lotte on the 22nd, manager Park Jin-man met with reporters and noted, "Garabito threw 33 pitches in live pitching today. His top speed reached 152km, and his pitching balance was good. If he had pitched in today’s game, his speed would have been even higher." He continued, "Garabito will take the mound as scheduled on the 26th against the Daegu Hanwha Eagles."

With Garabito's addition, the five-man starting rotation is finally operating normally. In the three-game series against Hanwha, Choi Won-tae will pitch on the 24th, Ariel Hurado on the 25th, and Garabito on the 26th. Left-handed Lee Seung-hyun is scheduled to take the mound on the 27th against the Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes.

Manager Park Jin-man smiled and said, "It seems like it's been a while since we've operated a five-man starting rotation," adding, "Now that we've overcome the tough period, only upward movement remains."

Meanwhile, Samsung has assembled the starting lineup of Kim Ji-chan in center field, Kim Sung-yoon in right field, Koo Ja-wook in left field, Lewin Diaz at first base, Park Byung-ho as designated hitter, Ryu Ji-hyeok at second base, Kim Jae-seong at catcher, Jeon Byeong-woo at third base, and Yang Do-geun at shortstop. The 'ace of blue blood' Won-tae will take the mound.

Manager Park Jin-man explained why Kim Jae-seong started instead of Kang Min-ho, saying, "Kang Min-ho is struggling to play due to symptoms of a stiff neck. He can hardly turn his neck. It's difficult for him to even bat." Consequently, Samsung urgently called up catcher Lee Byeong-heon from the Futures League.

Lee Jae-hyun, who is not in good condition with his hamstring, was also excluded from the starting list. Manager Park Jin-man predicted, "He will need management until today. He might be able to bat."

Regarding Park Byung-ho's batting in the fifth position, he explained, "He has been in good hitting form, hitting home runs for two consecutive days. With Kang Min-ho absent, I placed Park Byung-ho in the fifth spot."

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