'Shock' Hanwha Ace Surgery: "He cried a lot. First time in 20 years as a manager..." The commander is also devastated [Gwangju Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Kyung-moon (68), manager of the Hanwha Eagles, expressed a sense of devastation and sorrow upon learning of the surgery news for "native ace" Moon Dong-ju (23).

Hanwha is scheduled to play an away game against the KIA Tigers at the Gwangju-KIA Champions Field at 2 p.m. on the 5th as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

Ahead of the three-game series against KIA, Hanwha has faced a major setback: losing Moon Dong-ju, a native ace and the future of Korean baseball, due to injury.

Moon Dong-ju started against the Samsung Lions on the 2nd but left the mound on his own after throwing only 15 pitches over 2/3 of an inning. At the time, with one out and a runner on second base, he fielded a fly ball to center field off Samsung's Choi Hyung-woo and then felt pain in his shoulder. A trainer came out to check Moon Dong-ju's condition, but signals indicated that pitching further would be difficult, and he ultimately left the mound himself.

The result was, as expected, very poor. The Hanwha organization explained on the previous day (the 4th) regarding Moon Dong-ju: "We conducted diagnoses (examinations) at two hospitals over two days, the 3rd and 4th. As a result, we received a medical opinion that surgery is necessary due to damage to the right shoulder labrum. In addition, we have also requested a review from the renowned Zov Clinic in the United States, considered the top authority in this field. Through this, we plan to formulate future surgery and rehabilitation plans."

The exact type of surgery and rehabilitation period have not yet been determined. For now, the policy of both Moon Dong-ju and the Hanwha organization is to not rush and make the best decision based on Moon Dong-ju's condition.

In an interview with reporters before the day's game, manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "In my 20 years as a manager, this sudden, instantaneous occurrence is the first time."

Hanwha has been facing many difficulties recently due to a string of injuries. In particular, there have been continuous gaps in the starting rotation. Before Moon Dong-ju, Will Hernandez was diagnosed with elbow inflammation and dropped out of the starting rotation. Another foreign pitcher, Owen White, also suffered a hamstring injury after appearing in just one game and is currently out of the first-team roster. Additionally, free agent (FA) signing Eom Sang-baek underwent elbow ligament reconstruction surgery, further creating gaps in the starting rotation.

Jack Cushing, who was signed as a replacement foreign pitcher for White, is currently pitching as a closer rather than a starter. As a result, compared to the original opening day starting rotation, the only resources remaining in normal condition are Ryu Hyun-jin and Wang Yencheng.

Manager Kim said, "First of all, (Moon) Dong-ju worked so hard, and now he has to end his season like this. It's very disappointing." He continued, "(Moon) Dong-ju cried a lot. Seeing that, my heart ached a lot as well," expressing his sorrowful state of mind.

Now, Hanwha must find a replacement starter to fill Moon Dong-ju's spot. Manager Kim said, "We are thinking of (Jung) Woo-jo for that spot. Until the other pitchers return, I think a few young pitchers will have to pitch," expressing his mixed feelings.

Manager Kim further stated, "Regarding Hernandez's gap, we are considering (Park) Jun-young or Kang Geon-woo, who is pitching today. We are thinking of trying to fill the roster with young players."

Meanwhile, Moon Dong-ju graduated from Gwangju Hwajeong Elementary, Mudung Middle, and Jinheung High School before joining the Hanwha Eagles in the 2022 rookie draft as the first overall pick. His signing bonus was 500 million won. In his rookie season of 2022, he recorded 1 win, 3 losses, and 2 holds in 13 games with an ERA of 5.65. Over 28 2/3 innings, he allowed 28 hits (5 home runs), issued 14 walks, hit 1 batter, recorded 36 strikeouts, and gave up 19 runs (18 earned runs).

In his second professional season, 2023, Moon Dong-ju officially joined the starting rotation and took responsibility for Hanwha's mound. He started 23 games in the 2023 season, recording 8 wins and 8 losses with an ERA of 3.72. Notably, during the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games held mid-season, he started the final match and stood out as a key figure in securing the gold medal. He also left a deep impression with outstanding pitching at the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC). Ultimately, after the 2023 season ended, he received the Rookie of the Year award, which can only be won once in a lifetime.

In the 2024 season, Moon Dong-ju appeared in 21 games as the fourth starter, recording 7 wins and 7 losses with an ERA of 5.17. In the following season, he appeared in 24 games, posting 11 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 4.02.

Moon Dong-ju suffered many injuries during his high school years due to the high volume of pitches. In his rookie season of 2022, he left the field feeling side pain during bullpen pitching just before the season opener. At the time, he was diagnosed with an internal oblique muscle strain. Later that year in June after his debut, he took time off due to discomfort in his right shoulder. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans at the time revealed a partial tear of the subscapularis (one of the shoulder muscles connecting the shoulder blade and upper arm bone) and a hematoma diagnosis.

The Hanwha organization has always treated Moon Dong-ju as a special management case. In the 2023 season, he ended the season early after receiving inning management. He was also unable to complete the full 2024 season. In May 2024, he was diagnosed with a partial injury to the scapula (shoulder blade) and was removed from the first-team roster. Later, in early September of that year, he left again due to shoulder pain, was ruled out for the season, and his participation in the Premier12 national team that year was also canceled. Last year, in May, he was sent to the minor league due to a partial scapula (shoulder blade) injury. On August 16 against NC, he was struck by a pitch on his elbow, diagnosed with a contusion, and removed from the first-team roster.

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

*This content was translated by AI.