The Kia Tigers have suffered a major setback in their quest to win the regular season title. Choi Hyung-woo (40), their No. 4 hitter who leads the team in batting average, is out with an injury. On July 7, he underwent an MRI examination at the designated hospital, Seonhan Hospital, and was diagnosed with a right adductor muscle injury. He was substituted the previous day after complaining of pain after taking a foul swing in his last at-bat against KT Wiz in Gwangju.
I was worried about the injury, and it became a reality. I’m going to spend two weeks on treatment and have a second opinion, and then we’ll know the exact date of my return. He will be out of the lineup for at least three weeks. The pressure is on us to lead without a No. 4 batsman.
Lee is the team’s best clutch hitter, ranking first in RBIs (93) and second in extra-base hits (10).
Manager Lee Bum-ho said, “We need to reexamine him in two weeks and set an accurate timetable for his return. It’s not a big injury, but it’s still a side injury. Even if he’s okay, he’ll miss three to four weeks even if he’s ready. I got hit by a sand dune in the side of my abdomen in a match. It was an abrasion, but I think I strained it while swinging,” he sighed.
Choi Hyung-woo led off the second inning of the game against the Hanwha Eagles on April 2, 사설 토토사이트 but was hit by a pitch thrown by Hanwha starter Kim Ki-joong. He hadn’t played in a game in four days and was rested until the fifth, but his body was apparently shocked as he swung while fatigued. In his first at-bat of the day, he led off with a single and sprinted to third base.
This is a critical time for Kia.
They need to hold the lead without a No. 4 hitter for at least three weeks. Lee used Na Sung-beom as the No. 4 hitter for now. Lee said he plans to be flexible with the designated hitter spot. He called up Lee Woo-sung, a third baseman who has completed rehabilitation and practice, to play the designated hitter. Lee said that he would use the designated hitter for players who need to replenish their stamina.
Lee said, “The players are physically exhausted. I’ll use a player who is in good shape, but I won’t stick with a designated hitter. I’m going to change it up depending on who’s hitting well against the pitcher. I’ll rotate the designated hitter every day to keep players healthy. We will use good players and minimize the gaps,” he said.