[Official] Blitz! Fonce and co-winner suddenly collapsed, club announcement said, "We have confirmed our departure for more than six weeks, and we have already begun recruiting alternative foreigners"

*This content was translated by AI.

Last season's KBO League co-winner, ace Riley Thompson (30, NC Dinos), suddenly left due to injury just a few days before the opening.

The NC club said on the 25th, "As a result of foreign pitcher Riley's examination at the hospital, he was diagnosed with a ruptured left abdominal muscle."

NC continued, "Lily complained of discomfort in her left radiating muscle in the fourth inning during an exhibition game against KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 21st. "At that time, we replaced it to protect the players," he said. "As a result of the subsequent detailed examination, it was confirmed that rehabilitation was required for more than six weeks."

NC said, "In order to minimize the gap in power, the club is seeking to recruit alternative foreign players. We plan to stabilize the operation of the mound through rapid reinforcement," he stressed.

Riley is a new right-handed fireballer recruited by NC ahead of the 2025 season in December 2024. At that time, NC signed a contract with Riley worth $130,000, an annual salary of 520,000 and an option of $250,000.

Riley began his professional career in 2018 by being drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 11th round. In five seasons in the minor leagues, he played 108 games (82 starts) with a 19-25 ERA and 4.68 ERA.

When Riley was recruited, NC said, "He is a right-hander from Evansville, Indiana, USA with 193cm and 95kg physical conditions," adding, "He throws up to 159km in fastballs (average 151-154km), curves, cutters, sliders, and changeups." He explained, "Based on his strong fastball, he competes with batters and is evaluated as an advantage in his strikeout ability."

Lim Sun-nam, NC's general manager, said, "He is a promising player from the Chicago Cubs and has strong desire to win and strike out on the mound. It is a power feature that can overwhelm batters based on strong fastballs and curves, he said. "He has excellent strikeout ability enough to score 353 strikeouts in 365 innings in the Minor League."

And Riley went 17-7 with a 3.45 ERA in 30 appearances last season, tying for the most wins with Cody Ponce (now Toronto Blue Jays), who played for the Hanwha Eagles last season. In a total of 172 innings, he had 136 hits (18 homers) with 56 walks, 216 strikeouts, and 76 runs (66 earned runs) against three bodies. Third place in the strikeout category.

In the end, he was recognized for his strong performance and succeeded in staying at NC in the 2026 season. NC has a total of $1.25 million (down payment of $400,000 and annual salary of $600,000) with Riley for a year. option $250,000) and re-signed. After re-signing at the time, Riley said, "I will take the mound with responsibility as a starting pitcher every game. My goal is to constantly try to become the best pitcher and to provide the best opportunity for the team to win in every game I take the mound, he said. "I will be a pitcher who gives trust to the team by maintaining consistency and stability for a long season."

However, in this exhibition game, he pitched in two games and had two losses and an 11.57 ERA without winning. In a total of seven innings, he had 11 hits (three homers), three walks, seven strikeouts, and nine runs (nine earned) with a 0.379 hit rate and a 2.00 on-base allowed per inning (WHIP). In the end, he left the NC mound for a while after it was revealed that he injured his radiating muscles. Meanwhile, NC will play the opening game of the regular season against the Doosan Bears at Changwon NC Park at 2 p.m. on the 28th. For now, Koo Chang-mo is expected to start.

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*This content was translated by AI.