"Though we said we wouldn't use him," he was ultimately registered for the first team; "A trade with Son A-seop," Lee Gyo-hoon called up: "I'll try using him if the timing is right"... Lee Sang-gyu removed [Daejeon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

The pitcher acquired in exchange for Son A-seop (38·Doosan Bears), who holds the all-time KBO League record for hits, has finally been registered for the first team. Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) had initially indicated plans to utilize Lee Gyo-hoon (26) from the second team, but with the bullpen in its worst form, he decided to bring in a new card.

Hanwha removed pitcher Lee Sang-gyu from its 1-man roster and replaced him with Lee Gyo-hoon ahead of the third game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League season against the Samsung Lions, which will be held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park on the 16th.

Lee Kyo-hoon is a left-handed pitcher acquired in a trade on the 14th, when Hanwha sent Son A-seop and received 150 million won in return.

When asked on the 14th what he hoped for regarding Lee Gyo-hoon, Coach Kim replied, "Not yet," adding, "He should first greet everyone, train with the team during the three consecutive home games, get comfortable with the players, then return to the minor league for preparation before looking for the next opportunity."

However, the unstable and wavering bullpen situation has changed Manager Kim's mind. On the 14th, in the first game against Samsung, the team suffered a shocking comeback loss after allowing a record-breaking 18 walks and hit-by-pitches in KBO history. Although starter Wilkel Hernandez collapsed without lasting even one inning, surrendering seven runs the previous day, the bullpen also faltered, ultimately allowing 10 walks and hit-by-pitches in a 5-13 rout.

Hanwha's bullpen is in serious trouble. While the team's overall earned run average (ERA) sits at 6.62, ranking last, the bullpen's ERA of 8.30 presents an even more significant problem.

Lee Sang-gyu, who appeared on consecutive days and pitched 2 1/3 innings allowing four hits, three walks, three strikeouts, and five runs (three earned), has ultimately been excluded from the first-team roster due to his poor performance and the high volume of pitches thrown. He threw 56 pitches over the two days.

Manager Kim said, "It would have been better not to make a substitution, but since Sang-gyu Lee came in during the middle of the game yesterday and his pitch count increased, he would have been unavailable as a middle reliever today and tomorrow anyway. So, once the timing was right, we decided to register Lee Gyo-hoon to give him a chance to pitch."

Lee Gyo-hoon was selected by Doosan in the second round of the 2019 rookie draft as a left-handed pitcher and has recorded 2 wins, 1 loss, and an ERA of 7.28 in 59 career games. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 10 games, posting 1 win with an ERA of 1.17, but has yet to pitch in the first team this season.

Hanwha set its lineup with Won Seok Lee (second baseman), Jonathan Ferrara (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Lee Do-yoon (third baseman), Ha Joo-seok (second baseman), Choi Jae-hoon (catcher), and Park Jung-hyun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Wang Yen-ching.

Shim Woo-jun has been removed. This is because he developed symptoms of a strained muscle in his left neck. Manager Kim stated, "He has been sliding a lot, both at home and at second base, and it seems he has pushed himself a bit too hard." He added, "It is not a severe injury, and he was removed for rest purposes. We will try to avoid using him as much as possible."

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*This content was translated by AI.