Lions collapsed in succession. Dark clouds are also gathering over the national team.
The Korean national baseball team, led by head coach Ryu Joong-il, will leave for Taiwan, where the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 tournament will be held on the 8th. It is currently training and warm-up matches in Korea, and will select the final 28 entries before leaving the country. However, all the players from the Samsung Lions are facing injuries, and Ryu Joong-il’s plan is also being disrupted.
Samsung had planned to send four players to its training camp for Team Korea in preparation for the Premier 12. Starting pitcher Won Tae-in, infielder Kim Young-woong, and outfielders Koo Ja-wook and Kim Ji-chan were selected.
However, Koo Ja-wook and Won Tae-in were injured while playing the postseason. Koo Ja-wook had a knee problem while trying to steal a base during the playoffs against the LG Twins. He was diagnosed with micro-damage to the internal ligament of his left knee. He tried to recover by visiting the Ijima Treatment Center in Yokohama, Japan, but he did not play in a game afterwards.
Won Tae-in felt uncomfortable in his right shoulder while pitching as a starter in the Korean Series match against the KIA Tigers. A thorough examination revealed damage to the right shoulder joint. There was some bleeding and swelling in the joint. It was found that he needed rehabilitation for four to six weeks with shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis. Both Koo Ja-wook and Won Tae-in were eliminated before they even joined the national team.
This year, Koo participated in 129 regular-season games and boasted a batting average of 0.343 (169 hits in 493) with 33 homers, 115 RBIs and 92 runs, a slugging percentage of 0.627, an on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.417, an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.044 and a batting average of 0.341. For the first time since his debut, he stepped on the 30-30 homers and 100 RBIs to boost his momentum. He also led Samsung’s team brilliantly as a captain.
Until his injury, Won was named the starting ace for Ryu Joong-il. In 159 ⅔ innings in 28 games this year, he won 15-6 and posted an ERA of 3.66. As he became the joint winner of multiple wins, he earned his first title in the league 메이저사이트. As Won’s departure prompted the Korean team to quickly search for alternative resources. It also invited additional starting pitcher Lim Chan-kyu (LG Twins).
Kim Young-woong and Kim Ji-chan joined the national team safely after finishing the Korean Series. However, Kim Ji-chan’s entry was confirmed on the 2nd. It is because of an ankle injury.
Kim Ji-chan was replaced as he felt uncomfortable with his left ankle while playing defense in Game 5 of the Korean Series. “We need (Kim) Ji-chan. We lack outfielders,” coach Ryu Joong-il said, expressing concern. Kim’s concern has become a reality. Kim was diagnosed with treatment for three to four weeks after his ankle examination. He cannot participate in the competition because he feels uncomfortable with himself. Ryu, who originally included six outfielders on the call-up list, will have only four outfielders due to injuries to Koo Ja-wook and Kim Ji-chan.
Even Kim Young-woong, the only surviving Samsung player, is in crisis. It has become difficult to carry out training normally due to discomfort in his right shoulder. Kim Young-woong was the only fielder among the two warm-up matches against the Cuban national team held on the 1st and 2nd. He will be examined at a hospital on the 4th, the day of rest for the national team.
If he fails to play in the practice game against the Sangmu Baseball Team (National Military Sports Unit) on the 6th, he is likely to be excluded from the final entry.
In his third year as a pro, Kim was reborn as a regular starting player this year. In 126 games, he had a batting average of 0.252 (115 hits in 456 at-bats), 28 homers, 79 RBIs and 65 runs scored, a slugging percentage of 0.485, an on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.806 (OPS), and a batting average of 0.310. Notably, he showed off his potential in long balls. He can play defense positions such as third base and shortstop.
If even Kim Young-woong, who is equipped with one shot, fails to join, Ryu Joong-il-ho will suffer from power loss again. He is closely monitoring Kim’s physical condition.
