"If that's how you looked yesterday, you can't be used." Lotte shocks 1st team with simultaneous removal of 4 players; Manager Kim Tae-hyung sends a strong message... "I only felt sorry for Kim Min-seong" [Busan Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants Manager Kim Tae-hyung (59) finally delivered a powerful message to the roster by simultaneously removing four players from the 1st team.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung explained the reasons for the significant adjustment to the 1st team roster ahead of the home game against Hanwha Eagles in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, scheduled for the 19th at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium.

Just before the game began, Lotte made a shocking adjustment to its 1st team roster. Starting right fielder Yoon Dong-hee (23), ace reliever Jeong Cheol-won (27), Masaya Koyama (28), and infielder Kim Min-seong (38) were sent down to the 2nd team. Most of these moves were due to poor performance and attitude. The team was particularly concerned about Jeong Cheol-won and Koyama, who were underperforming despite the recent improvement in the pitching staff. Jeong Cheol-won posted an earned run average (ERA) of 6.23 over six games in April, while Koyama recorded an ERA of 7.11 over five games.

Both pitchers struggled on the previous day (18th), but the situations were subtly different. Jeong Cheol-won came onto the mound in the bottom of the 7th inning, faced only one batter, Lee Won-seok, and was then removed. His fastest pitch reached only 145 km/h, and he issued a walk. That was the end for Jeong Cheol-won. Koyama then entered the game. Although he allowed consecutive hits and gave up an additional run, he retired Baek-ho Kang and Eun-seong Chae with a groundout to second base and a swinging strikeout, respectively, to complete the inning.

Before the game, Manager Kim Tae-hyung explained, "Koyama should probably go to the 2nd team and throw a bit more. We expected him to help in the chase role rather than as a long reliever. His stuff is simply too good." He added, "His stuff is good, but he can't handle count battles. When he goes out, he gives up runs in strange ways. We knew about his control issues when we brought him in, but he's a bit disappointing compared to expectations. I wanted him to throw more comfortably in the 2nd team."

He spoke more strongly to Jeong Cheol-won. Manager Kim Tae-hyung said firmly, "Jeong Cheol-won, if you pitch like you did yesterday, you can't be used in the 1st team. Whether you're right or wrong, you need to focus and pitch with full strength. You can't be throwing 143 km/h or 144 km/h."

With the team's batting average in April at a low 0.245 (8th in the league), Yoon Dong-hee, a key hitter, has been mired in a slump with a batting average of 0.157 (8 hits in 51 at-bats) over 14 games. Manager Kim Tae-hyung expressed concern, saying, "Yoon Dong-hee's timing is completely off right now. His bat isn't even tracking the ball. He should be consulting extensively with the coaches and staying cool at the plate, but his mental side seems a bit weak."

He continued, "If he feels slightly off, he should try to make contact no matter what. If he tries to beat the same pitch with the same pattern, nothing will change. The opponent isn't stupid either. If they throw a breaking ball high, he won't even think about swinging, but the opponent uses that to take the count. I wish he had prepared more calmly."

Among the four players sent down, only veteran Kim Min-seong expressed regret. Kim Min-seong had primarily played corner infield positions and appeared as a pinch hitter. However, his recent performance over nine games has been poor, with a batting average of 0.077 (1 hit in 13 at-bats). Manager Kim Tae-hyung conveyed his sincerity, saying, "Kim Min-seong couldn't play in the game recently, so we used him occasionally as a pinch hitter. That means he can't maintain his game feel. That's why we replaced him with younger players. There's a part where I feel sorry."

In their places, outfielder Kim Dong-hyun (22), infielder Lee Seo-jun (19), pitchers Park Se-jin (29), and Kim Kang-hyun (31) were called up. Among them, Kim Dong-hyun has drawn expectations for his one-hit home run power. Kim Dong-hyun is a right-handed batter who bats left-handed, having graduated from Jeomilpo High School and Busan University of Science and Technology. He was selected in the 6th round, 54th overall, in the 2025 KBO League Rookie Draft. This year in the Futures League, he has recorded a batting average of 0.324 (22 hits in 68 at-bats), 2 home runs, 16 RBIs, 20 walks (18 walks, 2 hit-by-pitches), 13 strikeouts, an on-base percentage of 0.462, and a slugging percentage of 0.559 over 21 games.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung responded, "We didn't bring them up with huge expectations. However, both Lee Seo-jun and Kim Dong-hyun have performed well in the 2nd team. Kim Dong-hyun has power, so we plan to bring him in occasionally depending on the situation. Lee Seo-jun also showed good form during the exhibition games. Still, 1st team games are different, so we want to give them an adjustment period."

On this day, Lotte lined up with Hwang Sung-bin (center field), Noh Jin-hyeok (first base), Victor Reyes (left field), Han Dong-hee (third base), Jeon Jun-woo (designated hitter), Son Ho-young (second base), Lee Ho-jun (shortstop), Son Seong-bin (catcher), and Jang Du-seong (center field). The starting pitcher was Park Se-woong.

Hwang Sung-bin, who had been excluded from the starting lineup for some time due to internal team tension, returned as the leadoff center fielder. Manager Kim Tae-hyung stated, "He says he's fine, but we need to gradually adjust his running. We also need to check his stolen base attempts."

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*This content was translated by AI.