SSG Landers' Choi Jeong (38) has been sidelined from the opening game due to a hamstring injury.

SSG announced on the 20th, "Choi felt slight discomfort in his right hamstring during defensive drills before a practice game in Gwangju on the 17th. Consequently, the team conducted examinations on the 18th and 19th, and he was diagnosed with a partial tear (Grade 1) in his right hamstring."

Choi has a career batting average of .288, with 2,269 hits in 7,892 at-bats, 495 home runs, 1,561 RBIs, 1,461 runs scored, and 178 stolen bases, making him a leading home run hitter in the league. He broke the all-time KBO league record for most home runs in a season (468) last year and is aiming for 500 home runs this season.

Last season, Choi showcased his consistent skills with a batting average of .291 over 129 games (468 at-bats, 136 hits), along with 37 home runs, 107 RBIs, 93 runs scored, and 5 stolen bases, achieving an OPS of .978. After the season, he earned his third free agent eligibility, signing a contract worth 11 billion won in aggregates, setting a new record for cumulative free agent earnings of 30.2 billion won. This year, he prepared for the season with exceptional determination ahead of his third free agent's first season. In the practice games, he had a batting average of .211 over 7 games (19 at-bats, 4 hits), with 2 home runs, 4 RBIs, and 3 runs scored, indicating a smooth preparation for the season.

With only 5 home runs left to reach 500, it seemed likely that he could set a new record early in the season; however, an unexpected injury has temporarily postponed his milestone. SSG explained, "Choi's current pain has subsided, but the exact timing of his return will be determined after a reevaluation at the end of March. If his condition is stable during the examination, he is expected to return to the first team after playing in the second team games." They added, "The team will spare no effort in establishing a rehabilitation plan to ensure Choi returns to the team in good health."

An SSG official noted, "Choi is unfortunate to have suffered an injury just as his condition was improving for the regular season. Discomfort occurred during a catching movement in defensive drills. It appears that the discomfort arose as his body was somewhat stiff due to the cold wave at that time. The team will do its best for a quick recovery."

It remains to be seen whether Choi, who was on the cusp of a historic milestone, can return healthy and thrill the fans.

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