"It's not bad compared to other teams."
The Samsung Lions' manager Park Jin-man expressed disappointment over the void in the starting rotation for the opening but felt relieved by the quicker-than-expected return. Samsung's starting rotation has strength that does not lag behind the other 10 clubs. It has been built with foreign pitchers Denny Reyes and Ariel Hurado, wins leader Won Tae-in, 7 billion won free agent Choi Won-tae, and left-handed pitcher Lee Seung-min. The configuration includes three right-handed pitchers and two left-handed pitchers.
Won Tae-in also expressed pride, noting, "I'm not inferior to the KIA starting rotation." However, for the opening's first week, they will not be able to operate their best starting rotation. Reyes suffered a minor stress fracture in his right foot during spring training. Won Tae-in sustained a shoulder joint labrum injury during last year's Korean Series. With two key pitchers missing, the 6th and 7th starters will generally fill in.
Ahead of the game against the Kia Tigers at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 15th, he said, "The first, third, and fifth starters have been determined. The even-numbered day is undecided. Left-handers Lee Seung-hyun and Baek Jung-hyun will be included. It will be decided based on when the injured starters return." Hurado and Won Tae-in are expected to skip a turn.
Manager Park continued, "Reyes and Won Tae-in will return at the end of March. Tae-in will have one game in the Futures League on the 23rd, and Reyes will have two practice games." He explained, "Reyes has no pain. It's not muscle or ligament damage, but a bone injury. If it has healed properly, he could pitch even with slight pain. He has even used a special pad that covers his entire foot."
Manager Park noted, "At least it's fortunate that the recovery of the two pitchers has been expedited. They just need to miss one turn. Originally, it was expected they would miss about three turns. As a manager, I'm disappointed, but still, the situation is okay. If Choi Won-tae hadn't joined, it would have been a serious issue," he laughed. It was a sigh of relief that without signing Choi Won-tae from the free-agent market, the team would not have been able to operate a proper starting rotation.
He further expressed confidence, saying, "Once the 5th starter comes in, it won't be bad compared to other teams' starters." Injured fielder Kim Young-woong is also scheduled to participate in the last exhibition game next week (against Hanwha in Daejeon), and outfielder Lee Seong-kyu is expected to return in early April. Samsung will be able to field a complete power capable of challenging at the top in early April, with both starting pitchers and injured position players returning.
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