KIA Tigers' Kim Do-young (22) was sidelined due to injury in the opening game. Kim showed his determination to fans, saying, "I will be back soon."
On the 22nd, the 2025 KBO League opening game between the NC Dinos and KIA Tigers was held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field. Starting as the second baseman, Kim was out on a fly ball to left field in his first at-bat at the bottom of the first inning. The slightly mis-hit ball was caught well by left fielder Kwon Hee-dong with a nice play.
Kim Do-young hit a single to left field after one out at the bottom of the third inning. After stepping on first BASS and trying to run to second base, he stopped and returned to first base. However, something went wrong as he returned home. After returning to first base, he clutched his left thigh with both hands and complained of pain.
The trainer rushed out to check Kim Do-young's condition. First base coach Yoon Hae-jin sent a replacement signal to the KIA dugout with an 'X' sign using both hands. Kim returned to the dugout with a slight limp on his left foot and was replaced. Yoon Do-hyun entered as a pinch runner at first base.
KIA fans filling Champions Field sighed heavily. Kim Do-young immediately moved to the designated team hospital, Seonhan Hospital, to undergo an MRI examination.
Afterward, KIA announced, "The MRI results show damage to the left hamstring. We want to double-check. Since tomorrow (23rd) is Sunday, it is uncertain whether a hospital examination will be possible. After undergoing additional tests for cross-checking, we should be able to more accurately assess the injury condition."
After returning home from the hospital examination, Kim Do-young expressed his apologies to fans on his social media. Kim said, "The injury today is entirely my fault. Thank you for your concern and support. I am sorry for disappearing after just one game. I will be back soon. Definitely."
Kim Do-young was a key player in KIA's unified championship, winning the MVP award last year. He appeared in 141 games, recording a batting average of .347 (189 hits from 544 at-bats), 38 home runs, 109 RBIs, 40 steals, and an OPS of 1.067. He achieved the youngest and fewest games record of 30 home runs and 30 steals and set a new record for most runs in a single season. He also made history as the first in KBO to achieve a monthly record of 10 home runs and 10 steals.
Kim Do-young showed good condition in the exhibition games, recording a batting average of .467 (7 hits from 15 at-bats) and 3 RBIs with an OPS of 1.300 over 5 games. However, he suffered a hamstring injury in the opening game.
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