It's shocking. KIA Tigers' Kim Do-young has withdrawn from the opening game due to a hamstring injury.

Defending champion KIA achieved a thrilling 9-2 comeback victory against the NC Dinos in the 2025 KBO League opening game held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 22nd. They turned the game around with an 8-run big inning in the bottom of the eighth inning after trailing 1-2, but it was a victory that couldn't be celebrated fully.

This is because Kim Do-young, who stood out as the league's top hitter after winning the MVP last year, collapsed due to a hamstring injury after just two at-bats. Kim Do-young hit a single to left field against NC starter Logan in the bottom of the third with one out. After stepping on first base and turning towards second base, he tried to keep running but stopped and returned to first base. However, after stepping on first base, Kim Do-young grabbed his left thigh with both hands and complained of pain.

A trainer rushed out to check Kim Do-young's condition. He continued to touch his thigh, and a signal came out that he could not continue playing. Kim Do-young returned to the dugout limping uncomfortably on his left foot and was substituted. Yoon Do-hyun entered as a pinch runner at first base. Kim Do-young was immediately moved to the team's designated hospital for an MRI examination.

The results of the examination were not good. The KIA organization noted, "According to the MRI examination results, Kim Do-young has shown damage to his left hamstring. We need to double-check. Since tomorrow (23rd) is Sunday, it is uncertain whether a hospital examination will be possible. After receiving additional tests, we should be able to assess his injury status more accurately." Even a mild injury of grade 1 is expected to require about a month of absence.

Kim Do-young expressed his apologies to fans in a post on his social media on the evening of the 22nd. Kim Do-young wrote, "This injury today is entirely my fault. Thank you for your concerns and support. I'm sorry for disappearing after just one game. I will be back soon. Definitely." expressing his determination to return quickly.

Kim Do-young is a key player for KIA. He won the MVP last year and was a crucial part of KIA's overall victory. Kim Do-young played in 141 games last year, recording a batting average of .347 (189 hits in 544 at-bats), 38 home runs, 109 RBIs, 40 steals, and an OPS of 1.067. He has emerged not only as KIA's star hitter but also as a key player for the South Korean national team. Participating in the Premier 12 tournament held in Taiwan last November, he excelled in five games with 7 hits in 17 at-bats (.412 batting average), hitting 3 home runs and driving in 10 RBIs. Although South Korea was eliminated in the group stage, Kim Do-young attracted the attention of Major League Baseball scouts.

Kim Do-young showed good form in the spring training, recording a batting average of .467 (7 hits in 15 at-bats), 3 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.300 over 5 games. However, he was unexpectedly hit with a hamstring injury after just two at-bats in the opening game.

The head coach and teammates are gloomy. Head coach Lee Beom-ho said after the opening game victory, "I hope (Kim) Do-young recovers quickly." Veteran Choi Hyung-woo expressed his disappointment, saying, "I have no words. It's not like someone did it on purpose. He is alone.... He must not feel good about this himself."

[OSEN]