*This content was translated by AI.
Kim Seo-hyun (22), the 'closer' who was unexpectedly removed from the first division roster due to an unexpected slump, has made a surprise return to the first division. Kim Kyung-moon, the Hanwha manager, stated that he has no immediate plans to use him as the closer.
Hanwha registered Kim Seo-hyun on the first division roster ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season away game against the KIA Tigers, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on the 7th at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field.
Kim Seo-hyun had been the reliable backstop for Hanwha during the 2025 season. Last season, he appeared in 69 games, recording 2 wins, 4 losses, 33 saves, 2 holds, and an ERA of 3.14. Over a total of 66 innings, he allowed 52 hits (4 home runs), issued 31 walks, hit 5 batters, recorded 71 strikeouts, and gave up 23 runs (23 earned), demonstrating his best growth trajectory.
However, it is true that Kim Seo-hyun has been somewhat shaky this season. In 11 games this season, all in relief, he has recorded 1 win, 2 losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 9.00. Over a total of 8 innings, he allowed 7 hits (1 home run), issued 14 walks, recorded 5 strikeouts, gave up 8 runs (8 earned), posted an on-base plus slugging per inning (WHIP) of 2.63, and allowed a batting average of 0.233.
Most of all, Kim Seo-hyun has continued to struggle with control. In the match against the Daejeon Samsung Lions on the 14th of last month, he entered in relief in the 8th inning with two outs and runners on first and second, allowing four walks and seven hit-by-pitches over one inning, resulting in three runs allowed. After pitching three consecutive scoreless games, he bowed his head in defeat on the 26th of last month against the Daejeon NC Dinos, surrendering a go-ahead two-run home run to Jung Joong-yeol.
Consequently, he was removed from the first division roster on the 27th of last month. After regrouping in the Futures League, he was called back to the first division as soon as ten days had passed.
In the Futures League, Kim Seo-hyun appeared in two games, recording one save and an ERA of 9.00. Over three innings, he allowed two hits, issued one walk, recorded five strikeouts, and gave up three runs (three earned). On the 2nd, in a Futures League game against the Doosan Bears, he pitched two innings, allowing two hits, issuing one walk, recording two strikeouts, and giving up three runs. Then on the 4th, against Doosan again, he threw a perfect one-inning game with three strikeouts and secured a save.
Ahead of today's game, Manager Kim Kyung-moon addressed questions about using Kim Seo-hyun as the closer, saying, "He needs to be used comfortably. Since Jack Cushing is currently handling the closer role, he needs to be used comfortably."
The manager continued, "Reports on his performance from the minor league keep coming in. There have been good reports and bad ones. He has thrown more strikes than before. Setting aside whether he gets hit, he shouldn't be throwing balls, balls, balls. He needs to throw strikes so batters can hit them. I think the reports on that aspect were good."
Meanwhile, for today's game, Hanwha set its starting lineup in the following order: Lee Jin-young (center fielder), Peraza (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Kim Tae-yeon (first baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), and Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Jung Woo-ju.
Jung Woo-ju has appeared in 18 games this season, recording no wins or losses, five holds, and an ERA of 6.75. Over a total of 13⅓ innings, he allowed 17 hits, issued 13 walks, recorded 19 strikeouts, gave up 10 runs (10 earned), recorded one blown save, posted a WHIP of 2.25, and allowed a batting average of 0.321. He has not allowed a single home run yet.
Regarding Jung Woo-ju, Manager Kim explained, "He will throw fewer than 50 pitches for now. If he pitches well, it will be around three innings; otherwise, we will need to prepare another pitcher from the second inning."
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
