KIA waiting for the injured, returning to Lee Eui-ri

KIA manager Lee Bum-ho gave updates on the injured ahead of the second game of the season against Kiwoom Heroes in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 23rd.

Outfielder Na Sung-beom, who left due to a hamstring injury, did not accompany the team to the Gocheok expedition last week while playing batting training at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field. Coach Lee said, “If you say you can only play some games because you want to practice stepping on the base, you are thinking (to put it on the first team) even if you don’t play in many games in the second team. If you report that you have no problem playing as a pinch hitter or a designated hitter in the second team, or playing for sure in the training part, then the coaching staff should decide and call up.”

Lim Ki-young, who was diagnosed with minor damage to his left side’s intraperitoneal muscle, and Hwang Dae-in, who suffered a hamstring injury, need more time. Manager Lee Bum-ho said, “I think (Im) Ki-young should start after a little more time, and (Hwang) Dae-in has not lost blood yet, so it will take a long time. I think it’s better to organize clearly and go, so I think I need to prepare for my return with perfect preparation in the training part.”

Left-hander Lee Eui-ri, who is taking a rest due to a left elbow muscle sprain, is preparing to return in early May. If the current rotation is maintained without variables such as rain, Lee is expected to take the starting mound against the Hanwha Eagles in Gwangju on May 3.

“If I say I prepare well smoothly, I think I will be able to enter the rotation in early May without any problems,” Lee said. “I don’t think I have to go up to two turns. If we have a substitute starter in the match against the LG Twins in Jamsil on the 27th, we will be able to meet the timing of Lee’s inclusion, but we will have to wait and see how it progresses. First of all, the most important thing is to come up without getting sick. It is good for both the players and the team to come to the first team when you say you are feeling okay.”

Meanwhile, KIA will face Ha Young-min in the order of Park Chan-ho (striker), Ko Jong-wook (left fielder), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Socrates Brito (center fielder), Lee Woo-sung (first baseman), Kim Sun-bin (second baseman), Han Jun-su (catcher) and Choi Won-jun (right fielder). With Ko Jong-wook deployed as the second baseman, he will set up a table setter with Park Chan-ho, and Lee Woo-sung, who started as a right fielder at the match against the NC Dinos in Gwangju on Monday, will take charge of the first baseman.

Coach Lee Bum-ho said, “I think it’s the right time to score some points in the batting performance, so I’m going to use (the late) Jong-wook as the starting player to score points in the early part of the game. If we are leading in the second half, we have players who can play with big defense,” expressing expectations on Ko’s role.

The starting pitcher is foreign pitcher Will Crow. “I think six innings is the most important point. If you throw only six innings, you can choose based on how you will play after that,” Lee said. “If you can block just three runs in six innings, I think you will be able to applaud. If we maintain that level, we will have no problem in playing the game.”

There are small changes not only in the lineup but also in the entry. On the previous day, pitcher Park Jun-pyo went down to the second team, and right-hander Yoo Seung-cheol was called up to the first team. “There was a part that the pitching coach said when it came to writing pitchers in the six consecutive away games in Seoul this week, and I changed it to (Park) Jun-pyo because (Yoo) Seung-cheol was in good condition,” Lee said.

BY:  스포츠토토