"Ah! Lee Seong-gyu has also disappeared from the first team; what to do about the outfield without Koo Ja-wook and Kim Sung-yun? Samsung, currently in 'sole first place,' faces growing concerns [Daejeon Field Report]"

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Sung-kyu (33·Samsung Lions) has also disappeared. The Samsung Lions' outfield has become even more porous.

Samsung announced on the 16th that it has removed Lee Seong-gyu from its first-team roster and registered Yoon Jeong-bin ahead of its third away game against the Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League season.

Lee Sung-gyu was included in the starting lineup the previous day but was suddenly replaced by Hong Hyun-bin due to symptoms of a strain during training, and he has since disappeared from the first team ahead of today's game.

Director Park Jin-man told reporters before the game, "The muscle spasms hit hard. I can't even train for several days; the spasms have spread from my back to my neck, making even movement difficult. I need to take good care of my body."

Lee Sung-kyu was assigned to the rehabilitation squad, not the Futures (second team), as rest is currently the top priority. Manager Park stated, "I think he should rest for a few days. If he stays at the field, he may feel guilty, and watching games could increase his tension. We decided to have him join the rehabilitation squad so he can let go of that burden and rest comfortably, which we believe will be more beneficial for the player."

In the infield, Kim Young-woong has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury, while in the outfield, Ku Ja-wook is out with a microfracture in his rib bone and Kim Sung-yoon has left due to a left flank muscle injury. On top of that, Lee Sung-gyu has also been ruled out.

Nevertheless, backup players are effectively filling the gaps. Park Seung-gyu, who drew attention by rushing to third base even at the cost of abandoning a cycling hit on the 10th, has been a standout hitter in five games with a .348 batting average (8 hits in 23 at-bats), simultaneously filling the voids in the outfield as regulars have dropped out one after another and excelling as the leadoff batter.

With Jeon Byeong-woo also joining, the team has been led to sole first place by Kim Young-woong, who has been playing third base in nine games with a batting average of 0.375 (9 hits in 24 at-bats), and who drove in four runs in yesterday's game. He is continuing his hit streak for seven consecutive games.

Coach Park said, "Even though Kim Young-woong is out, Jeon Byung-woo has done an excellent job filling the gap," and added, "With players like Kim Sung-yoon, Koo Ja-wook, and Kim Young-woong all missing from the lineup, the team has been able to maintain a positive atmosphere thanks to the thorough preparation of backup players who have often served as starters."

Despite the departure of key players, the team remains in first place. Coach Park stated, "Once those players return, the team will become even stronger," adding, "That will also spark a competitive spirit among the players, and I believe we will become an even more solid team."

Samsung set its lineup for the day with Park Seung-kyu (right fielder), Kim Ji-chan (center fielder), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyeok (second baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Jeon Byeong-woo (third baseman), Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), and Kim Heon-kon (left fielder). The starting pitcher was ace Ariel Jurado. Despite key players being sidelined one after another due to injuries, Samsung is aiming to maintain its first-place standing alongside a six-game winning streak.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.