Professional baseball player Yasiel Puig (35) of the Kiwoom Heroes will take a break in the final spring training game but is confident about appearing in the season opener.
Kiwoom has set its starting lineup for the spring training game against the Lotte Giants on the 18th at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, including Park Joo-hong (left fielder), Ruben Cardenas (right fielder), Lee Joo-hyung (center fielder), Song Seong-mun (second baseman), Choi Joo-hwan (first baseman), Yeo Dong-wook (third baseman), Kim Jae-hyun (catcher), Jeon Tae-hyun (designated hitter), and Kim Tae-jin (shortstop). Yasiel Puig, the foreign hitter who has not played since the game against KT on the 10th, is expected to rest during this game.
Manager Hong Won-ki noted in a pre-game interview, "We trained yesterday without any issues. We will also have batting practice today. However, I don't think we need to push it unnecessarily. I will consult and see if he can bat once today. I expect him to participate without any problems in the season opener."
After completing training, including batting practice and catch, Puig said, "I have already conducted many practice games in Taiwan. I don't think spring training is that important, so there is no need to overexert myself. I will prepare well for the season opener." He expressed confidence about participating in the opener, adding, "It felt great to return to the Gocheok Dome. I missed the dome and Korea. I missed Korean food and culture. I'm happy to meet the fans again and excited to play baseball in front of them for another year."
Kiwoom has recorded 5 wins, 1 draw, and 3 losses in this year's spring training, placing 4th in the league. The team leads the league with 12 home runs. Manager Hong Won-ki emphasized that Yasiel Puig and Ruben Cardenas are not only contributing with their hitting but also providing advice to younger players, creating a synergistic effect.
Puig said, "Many young players come and ask me questions. Helping them also benefits me. There are many players with great energy, which motivates me to work harder." He added, "I believe that age is not important in baseball, but skill is. Young players can grow significantly when given opportunities. To achieve this, veteran players need to provide support without putting pressure on the younger ones. In spring training, the younger players are performing well, and I hope that continues into the regular season."
"I think it's important for our team not to finish last," Puig said. "I also need to play my role well. My goal is to hit many home runs and bring many players home."
Puig, who expressed a desire to finish practice games and quickly welcome the season, noted, "The atmosphere of the regular season and spring training is very different. That's why I want to get into the season quickly. Lee Joo-hyung hit 3 home runs, which is a shame in spring training. I hope we can have real games soon. I'm looking forward to it," expressing his anticipation for his return to the KBO League after three years.
[OSEN = Gocheok, reporter Gil Jun-young]