'KT's Massive Setback': An Hyeon-min and Heo Kyung-min Depart, Now Ryu Hyun-in Also Leaves → 'Manly' Lee Kang-cheol: "If they're gone, we'll just have to manage without them"

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz has encountered a major setback with a string of injuries to its starting position players. From veteran Heo Kyung-min to key outfielder An Hyeon-min, both were injured during the game against NC Dinos on the 15th, and infielder Ryu Hyun-in also left the lineup during the previous day's (16th) game, deepening Manager Lee Kang-cheol's concerns.

On the 17th, ahead of the home game against Kiwoom Heroes at Suwon KT Wiz Park, the KT Wiz organization provided detailed updates on the status of players who had been cleared from the injured list following the Changwon road trip. Following the departures of An Hyeon-min and Heo Kyung-min in the 15th game against NC, Ryu Hyun-in was substituted due to injury during a base-running play in the 16th game.

According to club officials, An Hyeon-min, who suffered a partial tear in his right hamstring, is scheduled for a re-examination in four weeks. Heo Kyung-min was diagnosed with a partial tear in his left hamstring and will undergo another examination after three weeks of rest. Additionally, infield backup Ryu Hyun-in, who sustained a fracture in his right pinky finger, will require observation for three weeks, creating a significant void in the infield. Infielder Oh Seo-jin has been added to the first-team roster to replace Ryu Hyun-in.

All three players are expected to require at least a month of treatment before returning, meaning KT will enter the early-season standings battle with its full roster depleted. The simultaneous loss of Heo Kyung-min, who holds an absolute role in both offense and defense, and An Hyeon-min, who has recently emerged as a standout hitter, is a particularly painful blow.

However, manager Lee Kang-cheol calmly declared a direct approach. Ahead of the 17th game, Manager Lee stated, "If the players are gone, we'll just have to manage without them," conveying his thoughts in his characteristic calm yet firm tone.

Continuing, the manager added regarding Heo Kyung-min and An Hyeon-min, "It would be fortunate if it takes about a month. The medical opinion suggests treatment will take that long. Heo Kyung-min is expected to be out for about a week. In particular, An Hyeon-min reportedly had a lot of blood pooling. He seemed fine immediately after the game ended on the 15th, but the test results were not as good as expected."

Meanwhile, KT set its starting lineup as follows: Choi Won-jun (right field), Kim Sang-soo (second base), Kim Hyun-soo (designated hitter), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Hilliard (left field), Oh Yun-seok (first base), Bae Jeong-dae (center field), Jang Jun-won (third base), and Lee Kang-jun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is right-hander So Hyung-jun.

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*This content was translated by AI.