San Francisco Giants' Lee Jung-hoo is recovering from back pain and is expected to return soon.
Lee, who showed no structural damage from the MRI results, is likely to participate in the exhibition game against the Cleveland Indians on the 22nd at the earliest.
The San Francisco team stated on the 19th (Korean time) that "there is no structural damage in Lee Jung-hoo's MRI results." Lee was supposed to play in the exhibition game against the Seattle Mariners on the 16th, but missed the game due to back pain. It is said that he experienced tightness in his back the next morning. Initially, he thought it was just mild pain, but Lee continued to experience pain until the 18th and could not participate in the exhibition game.
Concerns and worries poured in regarding Lee Jung-hoo's hefty price tag of $113 million, and the San Francisco team had Lee undergo an MRI scan. Lee had the MRI scan on the 18th, and fortunately, the results on the 19th revealed no structural damage.
Bob Melvin, the San Francisco manager, expressed concern before Lee Jung-hoo's MRI scan on the 18th, saying, "If he can play (in the exhibition game) here (Arizona camp) or at home (Oracle Park), that would be fine. Clearly, the pain has lasted longer than expected, but I hope to hear good news."
A day later, Manager Melvin expressed relief at the clean examination results, and a return date for Lee Jung-hoo was also announced. Susan Slusser, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, noted on the 19th that "Bob Melvin thinks Lee might be able to play Friday (U.S. time), and if he plays in three of the final five games, he’d be good to go for the opener."
It was also reported about Lee Jung-hoo's condition that "Lee still has some back spasms going on, but he’s doing a little better today."
San Francisco will wrap up its exhibition games with two games against Detroit at Oracle Park on the 25th and 26th, after facing Cleveland on the 22nd and Arizona on the 23rd, and then they will host the Cincinnati Reds for the regular season opener at Oracle Park on the 28th.
Manager Melvin is expected to send Lee Jung-hoo to play on the 22nd against Cleveland, on the 24th against Sacramento, and on the 26th against Detroit if he fully recovers from his back pain. If Lee plays in three games as Melvin expects, there should be no problem for him to participate in the opener.
Lee Jung-hoo played for the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2023 KBO League and entered the U.S. through posting. He successfully joined Major League Baseball by signing a 6-year $113 million contract with San Francisco. However, he was forced to conclude his season early after undergoing shoulder surgery due to hitting a fence during a play in May. Lee recorded a batting average of .262 in 37 games last year (38 hits in 145 at-bats) with 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, and 2 stolen bases.
While rehabilitating his shoulder, Lee showed good hitting form during this year's spring camp, recording a .300 batting average (9 hits in 30 at-bats), 2 home runs, a .400 on-base percentage, a .567 slugging percentage, and a .967 OPS in exhibition games. However, sudden back pain interrupted this positive momentum. If he rests sufficiently until the 21st and recovers, he is expected to make a final assessment in the exhibition games and participate in the opener.
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