A compensation player from Hanwha Eagles unfortunately sustained a side injury just before the opening game against Hanwha Eagles, causing him to withdraw from the lineup.

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol met with reporters on the 22nd ahead of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League opening game against Hanwha Eagles at Suwon KT Wiz Park and shared the news about Jang Jin-hyuk's side injury.

The manager said, "Jang Jin-hyuk suddenly has side pain, so he is out of the opening roster," adding, "It seems we will need to watch him for about 4 weeks. I heard that his side is torn about 6 cm. It’s a shame because he has been training well and now has sustained an injury.

Jang Jin-hyuk, who was a 9-year one-club man with the Eagles, was designated as a compensation player for Um Sang-baek, who transferred from KT to Hanwha as a free agent ahead of the 2025 season and donned a KT uniform. In the first salary negotiation at his new team, he signed a contract for 110 million won, a 98.3% increase from his previous salary of 58 million won, marking his debut in the high salary bracket.

Jang Jin-hyuk was expected to make the opening roster as a key backup in the KT outfield, following spring training and exhibition games. However, just before the end of the exhibition games, he suddenly felt pain in his right side, and medical examinations revealed a 6 cm injury with a rehabilitation diagnosis of 4 weeks. It seems Jang Jin-hyuk will not be able to make his debut with KT until at least May.

Due to Jang Jin-hyuk's absence, KT included fast backup players such as Ahn Chi-young and Choi Sung-min in the outfield opening roster.

Meanwhile, KT arranged its starting lineup against Hanwha's opening day starter KODI Ponce featuring Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Mel Rojas Jr. (right fielder), Huh Kyung-min (third baseman), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Moon Sang-cheol (first baseman), Cheon Sung-ho (second baseman), Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder), and Kim Sang-soo (shortstop). The starting pitcher is their new ace Emanuel De Jesus.

The manager explained the reason for the unusual lineup composition, saying, "The batters placed in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th spots have fewer strikeouts and make good contact. They are capable of hitting ground balls." He also revealed the game plan, saying, "The starting pitcher De Jesus plans to throw about 90 to 95 pitches today."

[OSEN]