Infielder Seo Geon-chang, who made a romantic comeback to the Kiwoom Heroes, is accelerating his return. He is expected to appear on the first-team roster in about a month.
Kiwoom shared recent medical examination results on the 13th for Seo Geon-chang, Kim Tae-jin and Eo Jun-seo.
Regarding Seo Geon-chang, who suffered a fracture of the third finger on his right hand during the March 19 exhibition game against the KT Wiz, the team explained, "As of today (the 13th) re-examination results show the injured area has recovered about 90% or more. He will undergo re-examination in three weeks and begin technical training."
Seo Geon-chang wrote history with the Heroes. In 2014, during his Nexen days, he became the first player in a single season to record 200 hits and even won the MVP. He won the Golden Glove at second base in 2012, 2014 and 2016.
Traded to the LG Twins in July 2021, Seo Geon-chang was released by LG after the 2023 season. He then joined his hometown team, the KIA Tigers, and after the 2024 season signed a 1+1-year contract worth a total of 500 million won (1 hundred million won signing bonus, 240 million won annual salary, 160 million won in options). The contract stipulated that if the 2025 option was met, the 2026 contract would automatically be extended, but he was released after the 2025 season.
He then returned to his original team, Kiwoom. He signed for an annual salary of 120 million won, returning to his original team after five years. However, due to injury he still has not played his first-team return game. Based on his current rehabilitation progress, he is expected to make his return in early May.
Meanwhile, regarding infielder Kim Tae-jin, who was removed from the first-team roster on the 11th, the team said, 'He received a diagnosis of damage to the cartilage of the right ankle and an intra-articular loose body (bone fragment) was observed. He is scheduled to undergo removal surgery for the loose body on the 14th, and recovery is expected to take about three to six months depending on the condition of the joint cartilage.'
In addition, the team added that infielder Eo Jun-seo, who was excluded from the first team on the 12th, 'received a diagnosis of left rectus femoris muscle injury. Recovery is expected to take about five to six weeks.'
Kiwoom now has ace An Woo-jin back, and Seo Geon-chang's return has become visible. Although key infielders such as Kim Tae-jin and Eo Jun-seo have been sidelined, with veterans returning to change the atmosphere, the team can dream of escaping last place.
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