Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyung selected Lee Young-ha as the interim closer to replace Kim Taek-yeon.
Kim Won-hyung told reporters ahead of the fourth meeting of the season against the Samsung Lions in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 28th, "Starting tomorrow (the 29th), I will assign the closer role to Lee Young-ha."
Doosan's closer Kim Taek-yeon was sidelined after suffering a right shoulder supraspinatus strain on the 25th. With a follow-up examination scheduled three weeks later, at least a month or more of absence is expected. Doosan brought in Lee Byung-hun to replace Kim Taek-yeon on the 25th, but suffered a painful 5-7 come-from-behind loss. In the game on the 26th, after starter Wes Benjamin pitched seven innings and allowed three runs, Lee Young-ha was entrusted with the late innings and perfectly completed the task with a three-inning, scoreless, 40-pitch heroic outing.
Kim Won-hyung said, "We will have Lee Young-ha serve as the closer until Kim Taek-yeon returns. He is a pitcher capable of multiple innings, but I am thinking of using him for one inning as the closer. Of course, the number of innings may change depending on the game situation," and added, "Lee Young-ha threw 40 pitches the day before yesterday, so he is resting today. He will take the closer role starting tomorrow, and today's closer will be decided based on the situation."
Lee Young-ha could not overcome the pressure of the four-year, 5.2 billion won blockbuster contract and struggled repeatedly in the exhibition games, starting the season in the second team. He was called up to the first team on the 15th and started as the replacement for Chris Flexen in the SSG Landers game in Incheon, but became the losing pitcher after allowing three runs in three innings. After moving to the bullpen and suffering inconsistency, he used the June 26 game against LG as a springboard and secured the closer role.
Kim Won-hyung praised, "I thought Lee Young-ha's velocity and control were both reasonably good. In the Sunday game I gave him the message that he could throw not just one inning before his appearance but two or three innings, and he delivered an excellent performance."
With Lee Young-ha taking over the closer role, Doosan's late-game unit will operate for the time being with Kim Jung-woo, Yang Jae-hoon, Lee Byung-hun and Lee Young-ha. There is also good news. Park Chi-kuk has been consistently appearing in Futures League games, and Choi Won-joon recently received an MRI result indicating that the inflammation has subsided. If existing players including Lee Young-ha can hold up well, they can dream of a major counterattack in early summer.
Meanwhile, Doosan set the starting lineup against Samsung starter Ariel Jurado as follows: Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Daz Cameron (right field), Park Jun-soon (second base), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Yang Seok-hwan (designated hitter), Kim Min-seok (left field), Kang Seung-ho (first base), Lim Jong-seong (third base), Jung Soo-bin (center field). The starting pitcher is Kwak Bin.
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