'Emergency Situation': KIA's 8-Game Winning Streak Ends, Another 'Unexpected Injury' Emerges; Manager Left with a Deep Sigh

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers, whose winning streak came to an end at '8', has now faced the additional blow of an unexpected injury.

On the 18th, at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, KIA played a grueling extra-inning battle against Doosan Bears in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season away game,

suffering a 4-5 walk-off defeat.

With this loss, KIA's winning streak ended at '8'. The team finished with 10 wins and 8 losses, securing sole 5th place in the league standings.

Prior to the game, KIA removed pitcher Hong Geon-hee and infielder Park Sang-jun from the 1st-man roster. In their place, pitcher Kim Geon-guk and infielder Lee Ho-yeon were called up to the 1st-man roster.

Most painfully, veteran bullpen resource Hong Geon-hee was sidelined due to injury.

Hong Geon-hee had recorded 0 wins, 0 losses, and 1 hold with a 0.00 earned run average in three games this season. Over a total of 3 innings, he allowed 4 hits, struck out 2 batters, and gave up 1 unearned run, posting stable detailed statistics including an innings per baserunner (WHIP) of 1.33 and a batting average against of 0.286.

It was this Hong Geon-hee who suffered a shoulder injury. After being called up to the 1st-man roster on the 11th, he pitched in the Hanwha Eagles game on the 12th, followed by games against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 15th and 16th. However, after pitching a scoreless inning in the 16th game against Kiwoom, he suffered an injury.

Feeling pain in his shoulder, he underwent a medical examination at a hospital. Regarding the examination results, a KIA official stated "he was diagnosed with damage to the right supraspinatus muscle" and "plans to undergo a re-examination in four weeks".

Most critically, KIA's key bullpen resources are currently sidelined. On the 11th, ahead of the Daejeon Hanwha game, KIA removed Jung Hae-young, who had been struggling, from the 1st-man roster. Additionally, Jeon Sang-hyun, who was also underperforming, was diagnosed with a minor intercostal muscle strain and was removed from the 1st-man roster. Two key relievers were sidelined at the same time.

With veteran bullpen resource Hong Geon-hee now sidelined for at least four weeks, the KIA coaching staff faces significant concerns. The best-case scenario, if one must be chosen, would be a clean bill of health upon re-examination in four weeks, allowing him to return normally. However, if his condition continues to deteriorate, he is expected to become a major setback for the KIA mound.

Prior to the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho expressed his deep sigh and sorrow regarding Hong Geon-hee, stating "Yesterday (17th), after practice ended, he mentioned in the training department that he felt a bit unwell. (Since the season opener) he was called up a bit late, which is somewhat regrettable. Hong (Geon-hee) is the type of pitcher who feels he needs good velocity and spin rate to generate power. He may have been a bit sensitive in that regard, and it seems he pushed himself while trying to return to the team and pitch well".

Meanwhile, Hong Geon-hee is a veteran who signed a one-year FA contract with KIA in January for a total of 700 million won (650 million won base salary plus 50 million won in incentives). He had previously moved to Doosan Bears via trade in June 2020, and this marks his return to his original team after six years. Hong Geon-hee performed well not only in the first spring camp but also in the second spring camp schedule and exhibition games. However, he began the season excluded from the opening roster, appeared in three games in April, and ultimately suffered an injury.

A graduate of Hwasun Elementary, Hwasun Middle, and Hwasun High schools, Hong Geon-hee was selected by the KIA Tigers with the 9th overall pick in the 2nd round of the 2011 Rookie Draft. He later moved to Doosan Bears via trade in June 2020. Ahead of the 2023 season, he signed an FA contract with Doosan, agreeing to a 2+2 year deal worth up to 2.45 billion won (300 million won signing bonus, 2.1 billion won total annual salary, and 50 million won in incentives).

In the 2024 season, Hong Geon-hee excelled as a key reliever. Appearing in 65 games, he recorded 4 wins, 3 losses, 9 saves, 11 holds, and a 2.73 ERA, demonstrating versatility throughout the season. He then spent the 2025 season as 'a pre-FA' player. However, his performance did not consistently meet expectations. Ultimately, after the 2025 season concluded, Hong Geon-hee informed the Doosan club that he would exercise his opt-out clause. Following the expiration of his two-year contract, there was a player option; exercising the opt-out meant forfeiting the remaining salary and becoming a free agent. Hong Geon-hee chose to seek market evaluation. He then reconnected with KIA and renewed his resolve, but was forced to take a brief break.

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*This content was translated by AI.