LG's ace elbow injury in 'blank' → Everyone is 'tactile' to the hospital examination results today (10th)

*This content was translated by AI.

Son Joo-young (28, LG Twins), who started the game against doomed Australia, faced a sudden elbow injury. Not only the Korean national team but also its club, LG, are paying keen attention to the results of his examination.

Son Joo-young started in the final 4th game of Group C in the first round of the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) against the Australian baseball team at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 9th, but he left the mound after 1 inning.

South Korea won Australia by more than five points on the day, and had to prevent two runs or fewer. And Son Joo-young on the mound. My shoulders were heavier than ever.

The start was a bit unsettling. Son Joo-young got off to a good start in the bottom of the first inning, treating leadoff hitter Travis Bazana with a fly ball to center field. However, after allowing Curtis Mead, a follow-up hitter, to hit the middle field, he gave up a walk to Aaron Whitefield, putting him on the verge of a crisis with one out and runners on first and second bases.

But that was the end of the crisis. Son Joo-young guided Australia's No. 4 hitter Alex Hall to a fly ball to center field and even Jarryd Dale hit a ground ball to third base to finish the first inning without a run. The number of pitches in the first inning is somewhat higher than 27.

And Australia's attack in the bottom of the second inning, with South Korea scoring two runs first in the top of the second inning. However, head coach Ryu Ji-hyun stood on the mound along with Son Joo-young and trainers. Something seemed to have gone wrong with Son Joo-young's physical condition.

In the end, Son Joo-young could no longer throw the ball. The replacement sign was issued and he went down the mound. Following that, Noh Kyung-eun took the mound in relief. It was fortunate that manager Ryu came to the mound himself and bought time for Noh Kyung-eun to warm up.

An official from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) explained about his condition at the time of Son Joo-young's replacement, saying, "I changed it because I felt uncomfortable in my elbow." His performance on the day was one hit and one walk in one inning.

Despite Son Joo-young's early steel plate, South Korea's "Veteran" Noh Kyung-eun did his part by allowing one hit and one strikeout in two innings. In the end, despite Son Joo-young's unexpected injury, South Korea was able to win 7-2 after a miraculous concentration.

After the game, Son Joo-young said, "I felt a little uncomfortable in my elbow during the practice pitch in the second inning. I often feel uncomfortable around my elbow, but when I threw a little more, I was convinced that I couldn't pitch 100%. That's why I asked for a replacement as a precaution," he said.

Not only the national team but also LG have no choice but to pay attention to Son Joo-young's elbow condition. This is because he is one of the left-handers in charge of LG's starting rotation. First of all, Son Joo-young is scheduled to undergo an elbow examination today (10th).

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*This content was translated by AI.