KIA Tigers left-handed pitcher Kwak Do-gyu (21) has ended his season early.
On the 14th, Kwak Do-gyu received the worst diagnosis from an MRI examination at the Seoul Sejong Sports Orthopedic Clinic. He was diagnosed with damage to the left elbow flexor muscles and ligaments. The team announced that he is scheduled to undergo lateral ligament reconstruction surgery. He is set to have Tommy John surgery, which is the American term for the procedure. Rehabilitation will take at least one year. Thus, he has ended his season prematurely.
Kwak Do-gyu took the mound against SSG on the 11th in Gwangju, allowing one hit and one walk before feeling discomfort in his arm, leading to his early exit. After the game, he underwent a detailed examination at the designated hospital, Seonhan Hospital, where he was diagnosed with flexor muscle damage. This area is sensitive for pitchers, prompting him to seek a second examination, which revealed not only flexor muscle damage but also ligament damage that required surgery.
He was selected in the 5th round of the 2023 rookie draft. Noticed for his pitching form lower than a three-quarter angle and his tricky sinker and sharp curve, he stood out. In the Futures team, he recorded 6 wins, 1 loss, 5 saves, and 6 holds in 37 games, with an earned run average of 2.89. He also made his way to the first team, making 14 appearances and laying the groundwork for his breakout season. His considerable confidence received applause.
He solidified his position as a key left-handed pitcher for the first team in the 2024 season. When Choi Ji-min struggled starting in June, he effectively stepped in as a replacement. He appeared in 71 games, pitching 56⅓ innings, achieving 4 wins, 2 losses, 2 saves, and 16 holds, with an earned run average of 3.86. He excelled against left-handed batters with a batting average against of .182, contributing to the regular season championship. He also brilliantly shut down left-handed batters Lewin Diaz and Kim Young-woong in the Korean Series, securing 2 wins as a middle reliever.
He was also selected as a member of the national team for the Premier 12 tournament. His salary rose significantly to 140 million won. However, this year, he struggled with control in the early part of the season and even recorded blown saves, failing to regain his form from last year. His performance was disappointing, with 3 holds and an earned run average of 13.50 in 9 games. There were hopes that as the weather warmed, he would return to form, but an unexpected elbow injury has resulted in a career setback.
In particular, the KIA bullpen has suffered a significant blow with the departure of Kwak Do-gyu, who has been strong against left-handed batters. Last season, he performed well against teams with many left-handed batters, recording an earned run average of 0.96 against Samsung, 1.17 against LG, 2.45 against Kiwoom, and 2.35 against Doosan. If Kim Do-young and Kim Sun-bin return and Kwak Do-gyu finds his form, they could have targeted the upper ranks. However, they have essentially lost a valuable card from their bullpen.
While it is fortunate that Choi Ji-min is showing signs of recovery, they will have to manage with just three players, including Lee Jun-young and Kim Dae-yu, for a year. Due to their poor performance in the exhibition games and Kim Gi-hoon's inability to participate in actual games for the Futures team, Yoo Ji-sung, Kim Sa-hoon, and others will need to step up. The end of Kwak Do-gyu's season casts a dark shadow over the team's two-game losing streak.
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