"One of Baek Seung-hyun, Park Myung-keun, Kim Jin-sung, or Kim Kang-ryul"

The professional baseball LG Twins will play the opening game against the Lotte Giants. LG will hold its opening game of the 2025 KBO League against Lotte at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul at 2 p.m. on the 22nd.

LG revealed a starting lineup with four right-handed batsmen against Lotte's left-handed starter Charlie Barnes. Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (left fielder), Austin (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Song Chan-eui (designated hitter), Park Dong-won (catcher), Park Hae-min (center fielder), and Koo Bon-hyuk (second baseman) will start. Right-handed batters Song Chan-eui and Koo Bon-hyuk replaced regulars Moon Seong-ju and Shin Min-jae in the starting lineup.

The starting pitcher is Yoni Chirinos. LG signed the new foreign pitcher for $1 million this season. He recorded a win-loss record of 1-1 with an earned run average of 5.63 in two exhibition games.

LG’s closer Jang Hyun-sik, who was signed last November with a four-year contract worth 5.2 billion won, has not been included in the opening roster. Jang Hyun-sik, who suffered an ankle injury during spring camp, made his debut on the 20th in a Futures League game against the SSG Landers. He pitched one inning, allowing two hits and two earned runs, with a maximum velocity of 142 km/h. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, "Jang Hyun-sik needs to increase his fastball velocity to over 145 km/h. He will pitch four games in the second team."

Before the game, Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop noted during a press interview regarding the question of "who will be put in a save situation today," that he didn't know. This is because no specific player has been fixed as a temporary closer.

However, there are candidates. There are four. When the reporters mentioned rookie pitcher Kim Young-woo, Manager Yeom said, "It's not Kim Young-woo. Young-woo will start in a more comfortable situation. One of the four will be sent out," adding, "Baek Seung-hyun, Park Myung-keun, Kim Jin-sung, and Kim Kang-ryul must handle either four or three innings." The pitching order will be determined based on the game situation, leading to the selection of the final pitcher.

Additionally, Manager Yeom stated, "Starter Chirinos can throw up to around 90 pitches. He won’t exceed 100 pitches. I think I will change him in an inning that ends around 90. It’s a bit burdensome to change with runners on base."

Kim Hyun-soo will take the number two spot, which had been a concern. Manager Yeom noted, "Until Seong-ju returns to normal, I think the second position will be rotated. Ji-hwan can do it, and Hyun-soo can also do it."

Moon Seong-ju has only participated in one exhibition game as he is recovering from a minor back injury. It is still cautious for him to play defense. He will be able to play defense in about a week. Manager Yeom explained, "Seong-ju is a specialist today. He will be on standby as a pinch hitter. I will bring him out as a pinch hitter in a crucial situation."

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