'Shock from the sky': LG's Yoo Young-chan, who had elbow surgery, injured again → Today (25th) hospital checkup results in focus, who will replace the closer?

*This content was translated by AI.

After pitching, he collapsed right there on the mound and removed his glove. His elbow condition appears serious at this point. LG Twins closer Yoo Young-chan (29) left the mound after recording just one out in the bottom of the ninth inning due to elbow pain.

On the afternoon of the 24th, LG secured a 4-1 victory over the Doosan Bears in an away regular-season game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium.

With this win, LG rebounded from a loss to the Jamsil Hanwha Eagles on the 23rd, improving to 15 wins and 7 losses to maintain sole second place in the league. Meanwhile, Doosan fell to two consecutive losses following their match against the Lotte Giants at Sajik on the 23rd. Doosan's record now stands at 9 wins, 1 tie, and 13 losses.

Although LG won the game, they could not celebrate. Even the LG team, who had secured a pleasant victory in their first Jamsil rivalry game of the season, was in a somewhat subdued mood. This was because closer Yoo Young-chan had to leave the mound due to an injury.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, with LG leading 4-1, it was Doosan's final offensive opportunity. LG brought in Woo Kang-hoon and then put Yoo Young-chan on the mound. The save situation was in place.

As soon as Yoo Young-chan took the mound, he struck out Kang Seung-ho with a swinging strike. After a 1-1 count, Yoo Young-chan watched the third pitch, a slider strike, go by. He then threw a low slider on the fourth pitch, inducing a swing and miss from Kang Seung-ho.

However, a heartbreaking situation occurred. As soon as Yoo Young-chan threw the fourth pitch, he collapsed right there, even dropping his glove worn on the opposite hand, and complained of elbow pain. A trainer immediately rushed out to check Yoo Young-chan's condition. However, a signal was sent to the dugout that he could no longer pitch. Yoo Young-chan, who had faced only one batter, left the mound. Kim Young-woo then took the mound in his place.

Kim Young-woo, as soon as he stepped onto the mound, induced a ground ball to the second baseman from Lee Yu-chan and then struck out Kim Min-seok with a swinging strike, closing out the game.

An LG club official explained Yoo Young-chan's condition after the game, stating, "He was substituted for player protection due to right elbow pain," and added, "A hospital checkup is scheduled for the 25th."

Yoo Young-chan has appeared in 13 games this season, recording 1 loss and 11 saves without a win, with an ERA of 0.75. Over 12 innings pitched, he allowed 4 hits, 6 walks, and recorded 12 strikeouts, with 1 earned run allowed. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) was 0.83, and his batting average against was 0.103. He leads the league in saves. Notably, he gained valuable experience by participating in the World Baseball Classic (WBC).

Yoo Young-chan underwent surgery in December 2024 due to a stress fracture of the right elbow's olecranon, enduring a difficult period. After a grueling rehabilitation process, he returned to the first division in June last year. This season, he aimed to complete a full season for the first time since his surgery. However, he unexpectedly faced another injury setback. If Yoo Young-chan is sidelined, LG is expected to choose a replacement closer from Kim Woo-young, Jang Hyun-sik, or Woo Kang-hoon.

All LG members and fans are on edge awaiting the results of the checkup on Yoo Young-chan's injury. After the game, pitcher captain Im Chan-kyu said, "This is the most worrying part," adding, "An injury must not happen. We will know once we receive the checkup results, but please let it be okay. I am just praying that he is fine." LG fans are also leaving messages of support on various online communities and social networking services (SNS), hoping the injury is not serious.

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*This content was translated by AI.