Lotte Giants player Ko Seung-min (25) has once again fallen due to injury.
Manager Kim Tae-hyung noted in an interview before the game against SSG Landers, held at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 26th, that “there was no particular situation that would cause an injury. There were no injuries during spring camp either” regarding Ko Seung-min's condition.
Lotte explained that “Ko Seung-min felt discomfort in his right side after the last game and underwent a hospital diagnosis. The examination result indicated a strain in the right side (internal oblique). It's a GREAD stage injury, and it’s not serious. After a week of rest and treatment, he plans to undergo technical training starting next week.”
After ending their opening two-game losing streak, Lotte formed a starting lineup of Hwang Seong-bin (center fielder), Yoon Dong-hee (right fielder), Son Ho-young (third baseman), Victor RAY (left fielder), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Jun-woo (designated hitter), Jeon Min-jae (second baseman), Park Seung-wook (shortstop), and Jeong Bo-geun (catcher). The starting pitcher is Kim Jin-wook.
Injured Ko Seung-min has been removed from the first team roster, and Kim Jin-wook, who is starting as a pitcher, has been called up to the first team. Manager Kim Tae-hyung said, “It seems that the other players will need to rotate based on the situation to fill Ko Seung-min's vacancy. For today, Jeon Min-jae will go out first.”
Having recorded a batting average of .283 over 339 games in the KBO League (1,064 at-bats, 301 hits), with 21 home runs, 147 RBIs, 153 runs, and 14 stolen bases, Ko Seung-min is struggling somewhat this season with a batting average of .091 (1 hit in 11 at-bats) and 1 run in 3 games, which is influenced by having missed preparation for the season due to an earlier injury during spring camp.
Ko Seung-min also experienced an injury at the end of the Miyazaki spring camp in Japan. He injured his ankle while sliding during a game against Doosan in the spring championship tournament. At that time, Ko Seung-min was not in a good enough condition to walk properly and received treatment at Ijima Bone Setting Institute. After dedicating himself to recovery, Ko Seung-min successfully returned in time for the season opener, but now, just three games into the season, he is facing an issue with his side. There is keen interest in whether Ko Seung-min, who has been plagued by injuries from the start of the season, can return healthy and rebound.
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