"Be careful."
Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho revealed plans for Kim Do-young ahead of the game against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 25th at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. He is focusing on rehabilitation in Gwangju instead of Japan. Upon his return, he expects no major issues due to his youth. Kim Do-young, who suffered a thigh injury in the opening game against the NC Dinos on the 22nd, is receiving daily treatment.
He received the lowest grade of 1 for his hamstring injury. He will focus on treatment for now and determine his return schedule after a reevaluation in two weeks. It is expected that he will have a hiatus until around April. The manager noted, "For the next two weeks, he will focus on treatment. After the reevaluation, we will assess the condition of his muscles and then proceed with (rehabilitation) movements."
There was interest regarding whether he would go to Japan for a speedy recovery, but he decided to receive treatment in Gwangju. "It's not to the extent that I need to go to Japan (Iijima Hospital). That hospital is known for reducing recovery time when injuries are severe. The injury is less serious than I expected, so it is better to receive treatment here in Gwangju. It would require a lot of walking after taking a flight anyway," he explained.
He also mentioned that he advised Kim Do-young to be cautious with his base running. "I met Do-young, and I said, 'There’s a reason you’re running less, so please be careful next time.' He probably doesn't want to get injured either. However, one thing to understand is that he is no longer just one player. He is a player who moves the entire team and influences professional baseball. Many fans want to see him play well," he emphasized.
He also projected that as a young player, if he is careful upon returning, there likely won't be any major issues. It is generally known that hamstring injuries have a high likelihood of recurrence once they occur. The manager stated, "If he returns, there won't be any issues. As we move into summer, he will be fine. Since he is young, his recovery will also be quick. If he just thinks a bit before playing, there shouldn’t be any big problems."
He expressed surprise at the fact that the injury was less serious than expected. After hitting a single and swiftly touching first base, he attempted to stretch to second base but overran too much. He got injured while hastily returning. The manager laughed, saying, "I thought he sustained a more serious injury when he stopped after running that hard. Since it's not as serious as I thought, I guess it's because he's young."
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