The weather was expected to be cold, but I didn't think it would snow...

Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon hoped that the final exhibition game against the Samsung Lions at Hanwha Life Park in Daejeon on the 18th would proceed as scheduled. This was because Ryu Hyun-jin (38) was slated to make his final appearance in the exhibition game for a last check.

However, the snow that fell overnight piled up on the ground, and as the wind chill dropped below freezing, it became impossible to hold the game. The snowfall was canceled early at 10 a.m., concluding Hanwha's exhibition game schedule.

After the cancellation decision, manager Kim Kyung-moon, who found the new interview room at Hanwha Life Park, smiled and said, "I knew the weather would be cold, but I didn’t think it would snow. It’s a pity that the starting pitcher couldn’t complete the pitch count in a real game and won't make the opening, but we have to do as the heavens command and go with the flow."

The starting pitcher mentioned by the manager was Ryu Hyun-jin. In his first appearance in the exhibition game against Lotte on the 13th, Ryu pitched 4 innings, allowing 4 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, and striking out 3, yielding 2 runs. He threw a powerful fastball with a top speed of 147 km/h and increased his pitch count to 65. He was scheduled to make a final check during today’s game against Samsung.

Considering Ryu Hyun-jin's pitching order and schedule, it appears that Cody Ponce, the new foreign pitcher, will likely be the starter for the season opener against KT in Suwon on the 22nd. Ponce won both of his exhibition games, pitching 9 innings with 3 hits allowed, 4 walks, 10 strikeouts, and no runs. He had a final check-up against NC on the 16th and can rest for 5 days before the opening game.

Although it seems he has conceded the starting spot for the opening game, manager Kim's trust in Ryu Hyun-jin remains strong. Kim said, "Since (Ryu) Hyun-jin threw more than 60 pitches last time, I was thinking about 70 pitches today. He is a player with great self-control. I think he will manage to throw indoors and adjust his condition himself."

If the game against Samsung had proceeded as scheduled, Ryu Hyun-jin and Moon Dong-joo would have been set to pitch, but plans shifted due to the snow. The manager noted, "I thought about having him pitch in the Futures League game, but the weather there is also not great. Considering the travel time and fatigue, it’s not necessary to do that." Moon Dong-joo will continue to increase his pitch count with bullpen pitching indoors.

Although it is regrettable not to have conducted a final check on the pitchers, Hanwha enters the season on a good note, having won 5 straight games, including one tie after two consecutive losses in the exhibition season. Kim also stated, "(Moon) Hyun-bin has returned from injury and shown good momentum, and several batters are entering the opening in good form. To become a strong team, we need to reduce mistakes at critical moments, and the defense has improved compared to last year. Our players have improved a lot, and I believe they will do well."

[OSEN]