SSG Landers pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun (38) has been sidelined by injury, and rookie pitcher Kim Min-jun (20) has emerged as one of the candidates to fill the vacancy in the starting rotation.
SSG said on the 15th, "Kim Kwang-hyun felt pain in his left shoulder during first-team camp training and will return home today for a physical checkup."
Kim Kwang-hyun, who recorded 415 KBO League games (2,321 2/3 innings), 180 wins, 108 losses, 2 saves and a 3.43 ERA, is a veteran left-handed ace representing the league. He ranks third on the KBO League's all-time wins list. But last season he struggled, going 10-10 with a 5.00 ERA in 28 games (144 innings).
Kim Kwang-hyun, who had been preparing for the season with the goal of a rebound this year, encountered an unexpected injury setback. His early return due to a shoulder injury has cast doubt on his ability to join the season opener. SSG said, "We judged that accurate assessment and sufficient recovery are most important. We will compile opinions from domestic and international medical experts to prepare an optimal rehabilitation schedule."
SSG built its starting rotation this season with Mitch White, Anthony Venegasno, Takeda Shota, Kim Gun-woo and Kim Kwang-hyun. If Kim Kwang-hyun is sidelined, a replacement starting pitcher will be needed. While his absence is clearly a big blow for the team, it could be an opportunity to find a new face.
In this situation, rookie right-handed pitcher Kim Min-jun has raised expectations since spring camp. Kim Min-jun, who starred as the ace at Daegu High School, joined SSG as a first-round (fifth overall) pick in the 2026 rookie draft. SSG introduced Kim Min-jun, saying, "He leads with a fastball topping 150 km/h and uses a variety of breaking balls including a slider, splitter and curve."
Recommended for the U.S. spring camp roster by pitching director Kyung Heon-ho, Kim Min-jun has left a strong impression on site. Manager Lee Soong-yong did not hide his expectations, saying, "He looked like a young player, but when he went on the mound he looked big. I felt he would become a great player."
Kim Min-jun said of spring camp, "I'm enjoying the training more than I expected. So far I haven't felt it was overwhelmingly hard. I thought of it as an adaptation process, and I felt physically that I had done a lot of exercise. People around me said my face looks a bit more tanned. I take that as evidence that I've trained a lot."
Regarding the coaching staff's expectations, Kim Min-jun said, "I was grateful they rated me highly. It made me feel I have to work even harder. I thought I need to become a player who meets the expectations of the manager and coaches. Although I may look like a young player normally, the comment that I look big when I go on the mound was impressive."
After completing his first bullpen session, Kim Min-jun said, "I let go of some of the pressure to show everything and threw at about 70% effort. Since it was my first bullpen session, I pitched lightly as a check. Even throwing at that level, I felt the condition of my pitches was good," and he added with a smile, "Because the ball was good, I was told I might even lower my effort and still be fine. The coaches said that if I keep doing what I'm doing now and don't overpace, I can do well. I was advised it's okay to take it slow."
"The biggest goal in camp is to finish without getting hurt," Kim Min-jun said. "If I get a chance as a starter, I want to pitch around 10 games. Personally, I'm aiming for more than five wins and an ERA in the 3.00s," he vowed for this season.
[OSEN]