'One day after return,' Lotte's Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min suddenly named as leadoff and second batters → Kim Tae-hyung: "Players who must anchor the core lineup" [Suwon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants infielders Na Seung-yeop (24) and Ko Seung-min (26) were suddenly placed in the upper lineup just one day after their return.

On the 6th, Lotte started Na Seung-yeop as the fourth batter and first baseman, and Ko Seung-min as the second batter and second baseman, in the game against KT Wiz held at Suwon KT Wiz Park.

Kim Tae-hyung, Lotte's manager, told reporters before the game: "Those two (Na Seung-yeop and Ko Seung-min) are players who must serve as the core of the team's lineup, and they have consistently done so. They demonstrated this with yesterday's (5th) results. I viewed their batting feel and their presence at the plate as very good."

Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, and infielder Kim Se-min (23) returned in the match against KT on the previous day (5th) after their suspensions for illegal gambling during camp expired. On the first day back, only Ko Seung-min was included in the starting lineup, while Na Seung-yeop and Kim Se-min began the game from the bench.

Ko Seung-min, who played as the sixth batter and second baseman, went 1-for-2 with one walk and scored one RBI on a sacrifice fly. Na Seung-yeop entered as a pinch hitter in the seventh inning, recording two hits in two at-bats and one RBI. Kim Se-min also appeared as a pinch hitter in the eighth inning and drew a walk.

Ko Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, Kim Se-min, and outfielder Kim Dong-hyuk (26) visited an illegal gambling venue early on February 13 during the first spring camp in Tainan, Taiwan. The KBO stated, "This incident occurred despite multiple warnings prior to camp regarding the use of casinos and gambling-related establishments, making severe punishment unavoidable." As a result, Kim Dong-hyuk, who visited three times, was suspended for 50 games, while Ko Seung-min, Na Seung-yeop, and Kim Se-min each received 30-game suspensions.

Prior to the KBO's disciplinary action, Lotte excluded the four players from all training and placed them on administrative leave. They joined the Dream Team (third division and rehabilitation squad), training against university teams while awaiting their return.

Ahead of the previous day's game, Na Seung-yeop, Ko Seung-min, and Kim Se-min held a press conference and apologized: "We sincerely apologize for causing controversy before the season. We are truly sorry to our teammates, fans, manager, and coaches. This incident made us feel the weight of being professional athletes. We will strive to become better people first and foremost as baseball players and move forward."

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*This content was translated by AI.