"Don't regret it even if you retire." Roh Jinhyuk is going to burn the last flame! Three hits and home runs → not bad starts in the opening two consecutive games

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants infielder Noh Jin-hyuk (37), who is in the final season of his FA (Free Agent) contract, showed off his not bad batting sense in the opening two consecutive games of the 2026 season with the last flame of his career, signaling a revival.

Noh Jin-hyuk started as the fifth batter and first baseman in the final game of the opening two consecutive games of the "2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League" against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 29th and recorded one hit (one home run) in four at-bats. In particular, with the team leading 1-0, Noh Jin-hyuk, the leadoff hitter, hit five pitches (122 km curve) thrown by opposing pitcher Choi Won-tae at 1-2 strikes to create a superior solo shot.

It wasn't even a real pitch, but Roh Jin-hyuk's home run widened the gap to 2-0 to win the game. At the same time, Roh Jin-hyuk played first base for two consecutive games to fill the gap of Han Dong-hee (27), who was out due to injury. In the game on the 28th, he also contributed to the victory by scoring two hits (one double) from four times at bat.

In an interview ahead of the game on the 29th, Noh Jin-hyuk said, "It's the last season of the contract anyway, and I think I worked out really hard because I wanted to make sure I didn't regret it even if I retired." In particular, he said, "We all participated in training and built our bodies because we didn't want to look bad to our juniors," expressing both responsibility and desperation as a veteran.

Ahead of the 2023 season, Noh Jin-hyuk wore a Lotte uniform on the condition that he complied with the contract period of 5 billion won (4.6 billion won). At that time, the shortstop was vacant, so he received a lot of expectations, but he did not show any significant performance. He played 113 games in the first season of his contract, but was somewhat sluggish with a batting average of 0.257 with four home runs and 51 RBIs, and he did not play more than 100 games in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. He played in only 28 first-team games due to a back injury in the 2025 season. Before he knew it, Roh Jin-hyuk reached the final season of his contract at Lotte.

Roh Jin-hyuk, who worked from the closing camp, said, "It was fun, but it was also really difficult. I slept early in the evening in my room without going anywhere during the camp. It was a really hard program, but I swam and did night exercise. It was so hard because it was an exercise I did when I was a rookie. Still, it was fun because it was a program with young players, so there was a part where I followed it, so it reminded me of the past."

This determined will was intact as a result of the game. Noh Jin-hyuk played a key role in the team's batting lineup by hitting three hits, including one home run, in the opening two consecutive games. In terms of batting average, he is 0.375 (3 hits in 8 at-bats) and his on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) is 1.250. It is a markedly different start compared to the past three years, when he left a regret with some ups and downs.

The secret lies in thorough self-care and 'tips'. Roh Jin-hyuk said, "We prepared a lot ahead of the opening game by doing indoor training and video analysis at the same time," adding, "It was my first game, but the tension was relieved because the hit hit was more accurate than I thought." Regarding the back injury, which was a chronic problem, he also said, "Now I have a knack. I know how to deal with it when I feel uncomfortable. I think I can overcome it well with tricks," he said, showing strong confidence in his physical condition.

Roh Jin-hyuk, who evaluated this season's preparation period, including the camp, as "one of the hardest camps among the career," said, "Those who survive are strong. I will hold out until the end thinking this year is the last time," he said.

First of all, the defensive position is likely to be the first baseman. Roh Jin-hyuk said, "Rather than thinking about where to go, I think I can overcome it by focusing on what I can do, such as handling, in a given position. I will try to adapt quickly," he said, showing a mature attitude. Fans are paying attention to whether Noh Jin-hyuk's "last flame" after a not bad start to the second consecutive game will burn until the end of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.