The fastball velocity has increased. Will the return schedule be expedited?

LG Twins pitcher Jang Hyun-sik played in his second exhibition game, raising his maximum fastball velocity from 142 km/h to 145 km/h.

On the 22nd, Jang Hyun-sik pitched in a practice match against Dankook University, recording 1 inning with 1 strikeout and no runs. The attention is on how fast his fastball reached. Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop noted, "The velocity has risen a bit. The maximum is 145 km/h, and the average is around 144 km/h." The LG organization reported, "He threw 8 pitches in 1 inning, recording a top speed of 145 km/h."

Jang Hyun-sik, who suffered an ankle injury during spring camp, made his first appearance in the Futures League on the 20th. He pitched 1 inning against the SSG Landers in a 2nd team game at SSG Futures Field in Ganghwa, allowing 2 hits and 2 earned runs.

Jang Hyun-sik gave up a double hit to the leadoff batter Ahn Sang-hyun, striking out with pop-ups to the right fielder and left fielder for 2 outs. With 2 outs and a runner on 3rd base, he allowed a two-run home run to Seok Jeong-woo after repeatedly throwing sliders.

The maximum fastball velocity was only 142 km/h, with an average of 140 km/h. Due to the chilly weather of 7-8 degrees Celsius and his first appearance, performance and control were lacking.

Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop did not include Jang Hyun-sik in the opening roster and stated plans to call him up after raising his velocity at the 2nd team. Coach Yeom mentioned on the 22nd, prior to the opening game, "Jang Hyun-sik will pitch about 4 games at the 2nd team before being called up. He will pitch one game and rest one day, then pitch one game and rest one day." He is expected to join the first team as early as March 30 and no later than April 1.

Coach Yeom explained, "If the velocity doesn't increase by then after pitching 4 games, we may have to bring him up to the first team and choose another method. If we can pitch him in a comfortable setting with fans, we can expect an increase of 2-3 km/h, so I plan to have him pitch in a win situation when his velocity has improved to a certain extent."

In mid-February, Jang Hyun-sik twisted his foot at the Arizona camp in the United States and suffered an ankle injury. He underwent an X-ray examination at a local hospital, which revealed, "There is no abnormality in the bones." Jang Hyun-sik returned home early and received an MRI and detailed examination, being diagnosed with a partial rupture of the outside ligament of the right foot's dorsum. He has been told he can return in 4 weeks.

After completing rehabilitation, Jang Hyun-sik aimed to pitch in the final games of the 2nd team and exhibition games, but was unable to pitch as scheduled games were canceled due to rain and snow. He played his first real game in the 2nd team on the 20th, and after resting for a day, he achieved a maximum fastball velocity of 145 km/h in the practice game on the 22nd. Coach Yeom mentioned during the exhibition games, "Jang Hyun-sik must achieve a fastball velocity of over 145 km/h."

LG operated Kim Jin-sung, Kim Kang-ryul, Baek Seung-hyun, and Park Myung-geun as its bullpen power group during the opening two games. However, on the 23rd against Lotte, Baek Seung-hyun entered the 8th inning with the team leading 5-0, allowing 2 hits and 1 walk, creating a bases-loaded situation before being replaced. Kim Jin-sung, who was pitching for the second consecutive game, only allowed 1 hit with 1 earned run. Kim Kang-ryul pitched in the 9th inning with a 10-1 lead for conditioning purposes, recording 1 inning with 2 hits, 1 walk, and 1 earned run.

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