'Signed with Hanwha' An Chi-hong to start at second base! After 242 days → Manager says, "There are many injuries in the infield..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes veteran infielder An Chi-hong (36) has returned to second base, the position where he spent most of his professional career. Although he started at first base in some games this season, he will now take the field at second base from the first inning for the first time since his Hanwha Eagles days in the 2025 season.

On the 18th, ahead of their away game against KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park, Kiwoom announced its starting lineup. Facing KT's starter Booshley, Kiwoom set its lineup as follows: Juhyung (center field), Park Ju-hong (left field), An Chi-hong (second base), Brooks (first base), Kim Keon-hee (catcher), Park Chan-hyuk (right field), Choi Ju-hwan (designated hitter), Song Ji-hoo (shortstop), and Kim Ji-seok (third base). The starting pitcher will be Wan An-woo-jin.

The most notable aspect of the day is An Chi-hong's inclusion as the third hitter and second baseman. An Chi-hong's appearance as a starting second baseman comes exactly 242 days after his last start at the position on the 19th, 2025, during a game against Daejeon Doosan while he was with the Hanwha Eagles. After being acquired through the second draft ahead of this season, he had primarily played first base and as a designated hitter for Kiwoom, but he is now set to guard second base again.

Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin (53), in a meeting with reporters ahead of the game, explained the reasoning behind An Chi-hong's selection at second base: "He was sent out yesterday (17th) for evaluation purposes. The score difference was manageable, and he appeared comfortable. We had planned to start him. There was no issue with his swing, so he will play. With many injuries among infielders, we will continue this way for now until the players return."

Kiwoom is facing a wave of injuries among its infielders. Starting with veteran infielder Seo Geon-chang (finger fracture), followed by starting shortwoo Eo Jun-seo (left quadriceps strain) and second baseman Park Han-kyul (shoulder injury), all are currently absent from the first-team roster. Additionally, utility player Kim Tae-jin underwent surgery to remove bone fragments from his right ankle due to cartilage damage, effectively ending his first-half season.

An Chi-hong also suffered a finger injury from a pitch while batting during an away game against Gwangju KIA on the 15th. Fortunately, the injury was not severe, and he received a day of rest for the game on the 16th. Although he was not in the starting lineup for the 17th Suwon KT game, he entered as a pinch hitter in the top of the fifth inning and then took over second base defense from the bottom of the fifth.

Amid a string of infield injuries, Kiwoom has deployed An Chi-hong at second base as a strategic move. The team's ability to break its four-game losing streak, relying on strong pitching from An-woo-jin, is now under close watch.

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*This content was translated by AI.