[Breaking News] Ah! 'Elbow Injury' LG's Yoo Young-chan Finally Removed from First Division Roster → Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop Sighs, "WBC Caused the Injury? It's Just an Excuse" [Jamsil On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins closer Yoo Young-chan (29), who unexpectedly left the mound due to an elbow injury while pitching in the 9th inning the previous day (24th), has ultimately been removed from the first division roster.

LG is scheduled to play an away game against the Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 2 p.m. on the 25th as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

Ahead of today's game, LG made changes to its first division roster. Instead of including 'closer' Yoo Young-chan on the first division roster, the team newly registered pitcher Jo Geon-hee.

Meanwhile, left-handed pitcher and left-handed batter Jo Geon-hee has made his first appearance on the first division roster since his debut. Standing 184cm tall and weighing 84kg, Jo Geon-hee joined the LG Twins after graduating from Seoul High School, selected in the second round of the 2021 rookie draft as the 27th overall pick. This year, his Futures League record shows 15 appearances, 13 innings pitched, 1 win, 2 losses, 3 holds, and an ERA of 4.15.

Yoo Young-chan could not smile even after securing a win the previous day. This was because closer Yoo Young-chan had to leave the mound due to an injury.

The situation unfolded in the bottom of the 9th inning when LG was leading 4-1. It was the final offensive inning for Doosan. LG brought in Woo Kang-hoon and put Yoo Young-chan on the mound. With a three-run lead, the save condition was met.

As soon as Yoo Young-chan took the mound, he induced a swinging strikeout from Kang Seung-ho. With a 1-1 count, he threw a slider strike on the third pitch. Then, on the fourth pitch, he threw a low slider to draw out Kang Seung-ho's bat.

However, just as he finished the pitch, Yoo Young-chan collapsed to the ground, dropping the glove he was wearing 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 it would be difficult to continue pitching. Ultimately, he left the mound after retiring only one batter.

Following the game, an LG club official explained Yoo Young-chan's condition, stating, "He was substituted for player protection due to right elbow pain," and added, "He is scheduled for a hospital examination on the 25th."

And the next day, on the 25th at 2 p.m., LG will play an away game against Doosan.

Ahead of today's game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop expressed regret regarding Yoo Young-chan, saying, "The results are not in yet. (At the time of the interview, as of 12:30 p.m.) He had a chance to become the saves champion this year, which could have elevated his career," but could not hide his sorrow.

Yoo Young-chan was selected for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team last March and displayed his fighting spirit, giving his all for the country. However, Manager Yeom stated, "The theory that the injury was caused by the WBC is nothing more than an excuse. Regardless, it is the responsibility of the manager and coaching staff to prevent injuries," and expressed self-blame.

Who will now take over as LG's closer? Manager Yeom explained, "Sometimes we have managed without a closer, so we plan to utilize bullpen resources to the fullest to take responsibility for that inning. It could be the 8th or the 9th. For now, that offers the highest success rate. We will proceed that way for the time being and make a decision while observing the current flow."

Meanwhile, 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. He has thrown a total of 12 innings, allowing 4 hits, 6 walks, and 12 strikeouts, with 1 earned run. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) is 0.83, and his batting average against is 0.103, posting excellent results. He was leading the saves category alone.

Yoo Young-chan underwent surgery last December 2024 due to a stress fracture of the right elbow's olecranon, enduring a difficult period. After a grueling rehabilitation period, he returned to the first division in June last year. This season, he aimed to go through a full season for the first time since his surgery. However, he unexpectedly faced the setback of an injury.

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*This content was translated by AI.