"I want to pitch in the first team until the end of the season without pain anymore."
Samsung Lions pitcher Kim Mu-shin (formerly Kim Yun-su) returned to the first-team stage after a long rehabilitation. The result was disappointing, but his still potent fastball remained alive.
Kim Mu-shin underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow last March and went through a long rehabilitation process. Having sharpened his game sense in the Futures League, he was added to the first-team roster ahead of the Lotte Giants game held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 23rd.
Meeting Kim Mu-shin before the game, he could not hide his excitement at returning to the first team after a long time. He said, "It's been a very long time. I feel good to join when the team is doing well," and added, "From now on I want to do well and contribute to the team."
He added, "Yesterday Lee Jae-hee threw a really good pitch in his first outing. Now that I'm joining, my goal is to show well what I prepared from the first outing."
He also expressed pride in the Samsung mound this season. Kim Mu-shin said, "The starters pitch well, the bullpen is solid and the lineup is good. I think this is a team that can only produce good results," and said, "There must be pitchers having a hard time, and I'll try to help even a little so we can create synergy."
He also revealed advice from his older brother, KIA Tigers pitcher Kim Beom-Su. He laughed and said, "My brother told me, 'When you get to the first team, don't come down until the end of the season and hold your spot.'"
His Futures League performance was not bad. Kim Mu-shin appeared in five games and recorded a 1.93 ERA with one hold. But the process was not all smooth. He recalled, "My game sense itself was fine, but when I had a bad game, Kang Min-ho, who was in the second team, asked, 'Why are you throwing so many breaking balls?'" and said, "Hearing that made me think I had lost confidence in my fastball."
He said, "After Min-ho's advice, I tried to throw my fastball more confidently even if I got hit, and the results improved," and added, "I think if I throw the fastball confidently in the first team, good results will follow."
The long rehabilitation process ultimately became a battle with himself. Kim Mu-shin also had to endure difficult times. He said, "When I had to rest for a few days because of pain it was hard, but I tried to think of it as part of the process," and added, "I was satisfied as the pain decreased, and I prepared by constantly imagining myself back on the mound throwing."
He did not forget to thank the fans. Kim Mu-shin said, "I'm not a player who has performed tremendously for the team, but I'm grateful that fans have continued to cheer me on," and said, "I felt they have high expectations, and I want to repay them with good results."
He had only one goal this season. He said firmly, "I want to finish the season in the first team without pain anymore."
Kim Mu-shin entered the mound in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on first and second in a 5-5 game to make his first-team comeback. It was his first appearance in the first team in a full 602 days since the Sept. 28, 2024 game against the LG Twins in Daegu.
The result was disappointing. After issuing a walk to the first batter Na Seung-yeop, he allowed a two-run go-ahead RBI single to Jang Du-seong. But he showed his still strong stuff, recording a top speed of 151 km/h on his fastball. The fact that he stood on the first-team mound again after a long rehabilitation was meaningful in itself. This is just the beginning. There is still plenty of time for the fireballer Samsung expects to reclaim his spot.
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