The player did not make the starting lineup on the day the coach hoped for a return. Does Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants need more recovery time?
San Francisco revealed the starting lineup for the Major League Spring Training exhibition game against the Cleveland Guardians held on the 22nd (Korea time) at Scottsdale Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Lee Jung-hoo, who is suffering from back pain, was again excluded from the starting lineup. He was scheduled to start in the exhibition game against the Seattle Mariners on the 16th. However, he was removed from the lineup shortly before the game due to symptoms of back strain. It is reported that he suffered the strain from sleeping in an awkward position, and his condition did not improve over time.
Ultimately, he underwent an MRI on the 19th. Fortunately, the MRI results confirmed that there were no structural damages. His condition was gradually improving. Manager Bob Melvin roughly mentioned the timing of Lee's return. To ensure he could participate safely in the opener, the anticipated return time was the game against Cleveland on the 22nd. According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, "Bob Melvin believes Lee Jung-hoo will be able to play in the exhibition game on Friday (U.S. time). He thinks that if Lee participates in three out of the last five games, he will be able to play in the opener."
San Francisco has six more exhibition games before the opener against the Cincinnati Reds on the 28th, starting from the 22nd. They will play against Cleveland on the 22nd, the Arizona Diamondbacks on the 23rd, and the Sacramento River Cats, a Triple-A team, on the 24th. They will conclude spring training with a two-game series against Detroit at Oracle Park on the 25th and 26th. Melvin believes that if Lee can play in at least three of these games, he will have no issues appearing in the opener.
However, Lee Jung-hoo did not return on the day Melvin had hoped for. The possibility of him coming on as a substitute cannot be ruled out, but it is likely that his return will be delayed more than expected.
On this day, San Francisco's starting lineup consisted of Lamonte Wade Jr. (designated hitter), Willy Adames (shortstop), Heliot Ramos (left fielder), Matt Chapman (third baseman), Mike Yastrzemski (right fielder), Wilmer Flores (first baseman), Patrick Bailey (catcher), Luis Matos (center fielder), and Tyler Fitzgerald (second baseman). The starting pitcher is Logan Webb.
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