Lotte gambling-punished players return on May 5! Kim Tae-hyung personally confirmed: "Interviews completed; will announce immediately once the date arrives"

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Tae-hyung (59), manager of the Lotte Giants, personally addressed the personnel currently under punishment for their involvement in the gambling scandal. He revealed plans to call them up to the first division as soon as their suspensions end.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the "2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League" home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium on the 28th, Manager Kim Tae-hyung stated, "We have completed interviews with the relevant players. Once the suspension period ends, they will be called up immediately."

If the game proceeds as scheduled without being canceled due to rain, Go Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, and Kim Se-min, who received 30-game suspensions, will be eligible to join the first-division roster starting from the away game against the Suwon KT Wiz on May 5.

As of the 28th, Lotte sits at the bottom of the league with a record of 7 wins, 1 draw, and 16 losses (winning percentage 0.304). The team's batting average stands at 0.241, ranking 9th among the 10th clubs, while their batting average with runners in scoring position remains stuck in the low teens (0.177), highlighting a persistent lack of clutch hitting.

The players have already begun adjusting to game conditions. All four participated as starters in a third-division practice game against the NC Dinos on the 19th. At that time, Go Seung-min played second base and recorded 2 hits in 5 at-bats, while Na Seung-yeop, designated hitter, went 1-for-4 with a walk to complete his warm-up.

The KBO Disciplinary Committee previously issued punishments in February during the Taiwan spring training period for those caught visiting gambling arcades and using electronic betting games. Kim Dong-hyuk, confirmed to have visited three times, received a 50-game suspension, while Go Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, and Kim Se-min, each confirmed to have visited once, were each suspended for 30 games.

As Lotte struggles at the bottom of the standings, attention turns to whether the team can successfully rebound in May by returning with its core players after leaving behind the painful past of the "gambling scandal."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.