"It's better to take him out now."
Kia Tigers infielder Yun Do-hyun (22) has been removed from the first team roster. Manager Lee Beom-ho registered right-handed pitchers Kim Do-hyun, Lee Hyeong-beom, and sidearm Yun Joong-hyun to the first team roster ahead of the game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 27th. Instead of these players, Im Gi-young, Yoo Seung-cheol, and infielder Yun Do-hyun were removed.
In order to register Kim Do-hyun as the starting pitcher, a position player must be excluded. After much deliberation, Yun Do-hyun was chosen. Since it was necessary to have multi-inning relief pitchers for trailing games, Lee Hyeong-beom and Yun Joong-hyun were registered. Im Gi-young pitched the previous day but allowed 5 runs on 6 hits over 1 inning. Yoo Seung-cheol also pitched the previous day, allowing 1 run on 3 hits and 2 walks over 2 innings. It was determined that pitching that day would be difficult and that a reevaluation of his pitching form was necessary.
The removal of Yun Do-hyun was somewhat unexpected. He was tasked with starting in case the main infielders were injured. It was related to a defensive error the previous day. In the bottom of the second inning with a 2-0 lead, he missed a ground ball with two outs and runners on first and third, leading to 4 runs. It seemed he had made up for it with 4 times on base, including 2 doubles and 2 walks.
Manager Lee said, "He has to start, but there's pressure in the throws. I thought the probability of making a mistake would be high once he got in the game. If he makes a mistake, the entire season could become painful. I judged that taking him out now would be more stable for the player. It seems better for him to play in Future League games. I called him and said, 'Hang in there.' I also pondered about it when I came to the ballpark this morning."
Additionally, regarding the transfer of Im Gi-young to the second team, he noted, "He reached 141-142 km/h in exhibition games, and his pitching form was good. I wasn't concerned about the hits he allowed, but his speed decreased in the regular season. The contact was strong. He is a pitcher who pitches for 2 innings. When he's not doing well, I switched to another pitcher. If his condition is good in Future League games, I will bring him back in ten days."
Meanwhile, Manager Lee used the following starting lineup: Kim Sun-bin (second base), Wisdom (first base), Na Seong-beom (right field), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lee Woo-sung (left field), Han Jun-soo (catcher), Choi Won-jun (center field), Byeon Woo-hyeok (third base), and Kim Gyu-seong (shortstop). Kim Sun-bin was placed in the lead-off position, and the catcher chosen was the hitting-capable Han Jun-soo.
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