SSG Landers left-hander Kim Kwang-hyun is finally going under the knife.
The SSG club announced ahead of the 2026 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League exhibition game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 22nd that "Kim Kwang-hyun underwent about two weeks of a rehabilitation program for a bone spur lesion in the posterior area of his left shoulder, and after in-depth discussions it was decided he will have surgery at a hospital in Nagoya, Japan, at the end of March."
Kim Kwang-hyun was planned to be used as the fifth starter this season. Manager Lee Soong-yong said before departing for spring camp, "Last season there were many issues because of the shoulder, so using him as the fifth starter would help Kwang-hyun stay healthy and play a long season."
But Kim Kwang-hyun explained the circumstances that led to surgery, saying, "I will work hard in rehabilitation with the hope that I can stand on the mound at least one more year, more healthily."
The club said, "The rehabilitation period is expected to be at least six months, and the club will provide full medical and rehabilitation program support so that Kim Kwang-hyun can focus on recovery."
Kim Kwang-hyun said, "After much thought I decided on surgery. I know shoulder surgery can be devastating for a baseball player, but I will work hard in rehabilitation with the hope that I can stand on the mound at least one more year, more healthily."
He added, "I feel sorry to the fans and my teammates for being sidelined by this injury. During rehabilitation I will be 'Eusseuk-i' and cheer hard. I hope our team has a good season."
Kim Kwang-hyun, who debuted in the professional leagues in 2007, is one of the league's top veteran left-handers, recording 180 wins, 108 losses, two saves and a 3.43 earned run average in 415 KBO League games. He ranks third on the KBO League's all-time wins list.
Last season he signed a two-year extension with SSG worth up to 3.6 billion won. Although he struggled last year, going 10-10 with a 5.00 ERA in 28 games (144 innings), he also pitched well in Game 4 of the playoff against the Samsung Lions in the wild-card series, tossing five innings, allowing one hit, issuing three walks, striking out five and giving up one run. He remains a necessary presence on the SSG mound.
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