“I try to erase it from my mind until I tell the trainer that I am 'all set.'”

NC Dinos manager Lee Ho-jun and all members of the team waited for mid-June because it marked the return of '132 billion ace' Koo Chang-mo. Koo Chang-mo was discharged from the Army Physical Training Corps (Sangmu) on June 17. In 2020, he recorded 9 wins, 1 hold, and an earned run average of 1.74 (93⅓ innings, 18 earned runs) with 102 strikeouts. He dominated the league with an unprecedented pace in the first half, but after suffering a stress fracture in his left arm, he had to undergo rehabilitation in the second half. However, he won the regular season championship and, when they advanced directly to the Korean Series in November, Koo Chang-mo returned to lead the team to the overall championship title.

However, in 2021, as the stress fracture site did not completely heal, he ultimately underwent surgery to stabilize the stress fracture. Koo Chang-mo, who returned in May 2022, replicated his overwhelming performance from 2020, ending the season with 11 wins, 5 losses, and an earned run average of 2.10 in 19 games, totaling 111⅔ innings and 108 strikeouts, while looking forward to healthier days ahead.

Before the 2023 season, Koo Chang-mo signed a maximum 13.2 billion won non-free agent multi-year contract for 6+1 years. The hefty contract expressed the exceptional expectations the team had for their ace.

In 2023, a season when he could also receive military service benefits due to the Hangzhou Asian Games, Koo Chang-mo faced setbacks again due to injury. A stress fracture occurred again in the area where he had surgery in 2021. He expressed his frustration during the game, shaking his arm and lowering his head. He finished the 2023 season with a record of 1 win, 3 losses, and an earned run average of 2.96 after 11 games, and underwent another surgery. He then enlisted in the Army to resolve his military obligations.

After completing rehabilitation last year, Koo Chang-mo hoped to return healthily this year. New manager Lee Ho-jun had the highest expectations. When Lee Ho-jun took over, Koo Chang-mo expressed his confidence, saying, “If you are in 5th place by the time I return, I will help you win 1st.” In fact, Koo Chang-mo aimed for a full return route this year.

On March 19, in a Futures League game against Samsung, he pitched 5 innings, allowing 3 hits (1 home run), striking out 8, and yielding 1 run, finally managing to pitch a long inning. However, on April 2, after recording 3 innings, 3 hits allowed, 3 strikeouts, and 1 earned run against Samsung, he went missing. He took a hit to his shoulder, and the aftereffects lingered for a long time. Ultimately, he returned just before his discharge, on June 12 against Lotte. After pitching 1 inning, allowing 1 hit, striking out 2, and not allowing any runs, he returned to NC as a civilian. The day after his discharge (18th) was the game against LG at Jamsil. Manager Lee Ho-jun had plans for utilizing Koo Chang-mo at that time. However, that was nothing more than a hope. Ultimately, Koo Chang-mo must build himself up again.

Knowing how overwhelming his performance was at its peak, he cannot let go of regrets and is hoping for a healthy return. Manager Lee Ho-jun is not in a rush to think about it right now. He emphasized, “(Koo) Chang-mo will first prepare his body to throw 85 pitches in bullpen sessions by July 10. After that, we will schedule his real game appearances.”

At the same time, Manager Lee Ho-jun decided to completely forget about Koo Chang-mo in the first half. He said, “I talked to Chang-mo for quite a while earlier. I said, 'I won't think about it at all right now.' I told the pitching coach too. I said not to even ask (the training team).” He added, “I will also try to forget it in my mind until Chang-mo says to the trainer, 'I'm all set. Now, I will be promoted to the first team,' when he is best prepared without any pain.”

He also stressed, “I told Chang-mo, 'Even if you don’t pitch this year, don’t think of forcing it.' I have organized my thoughts that way too.” For now, Koo Chang-mo is burning with enthusiasm. He is increasing the number of pitches in bullpen sessions. Two days after his discharge, on the 19th, he threw 25 pitches, and two days later, on the 21st, he raised the number to 40 pitches. It is said that he did not check his velocity separately. So far, Koo Chang-mo's buildup has been progressing smoothly.

In 2023, following right elbow surgery and left shoulder surgery in 2024, 'dual-threat' Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) also made a dramatic return as the starting pitcher in a game against the San Diego Padres on the 17th (Korean time). During the process of preparing for his return, Roberts said, 'Ohtani informed us that he was ready to pitch.' When a player says they are all set, the team prepares accordingly. This is similar to Koo Chang-mo. It signifies the great expectations for Koo Chang-mo.

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