13 wins: Foreign investor + national team left-handed pitcher make simultaneous comeback! KBO's only six-pitcher rotation about to open, 'ERA league 2nd place' LG mound rises higher

*This content was translated by AI.

The already formidable LG Twins mound is getting even higher. Foreign pitcher Yoni Chirinos (33) and national team left-hander Son Ju-young (28) have completed preparations for their return to the first division.

LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) announced ahead of the Daejeon Hanwha Eagles game on the 8th, "Both Chirinos and Son Ju-young will be registered tomorrow (the 9th). Ju-young will likely not be used when the team is winning; he will be brought in when the team is trailing by one or two runs to build up his conditioning."

He continued, "If Ju-young pitches well, he could turn the game around. We will include him in the (first division) roster and use him as a long reliever or in a chase role. In situations without heavy pressure, regardless of the result, we will have him complete his build-up by logging innings."

Both players are making their first division returns after a long absence. Chirinos was removed from the first division roster on the 22nd of last month due to elbow pain. Prior to that, he recorded 1 win and 2 losses in 4 games with an ERA of 6.75. Son Ju-young has not made his first appearance of the season, having focused solely on rehabilitation after injuring his right adductor muscle during catch practice just before the season opener.

With both players returning, LG is no longer dreaming of achieving the KBO's only six-pitcher rotation. Leading with ace Anders Tolhurst, along with Asia quota players Lachlan Wells, Im Chan-kyu, and Song Seung-gi, the team has already recorded the league's second-best ERA (3.67).

Of course, this applies only until Son Ju-young's build-up is complete. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop stated, "With six starters, the moment Ju-young's pitch count increases, one must be removed. Baek Seung-hyun is also preparing, but if one starter is pushed to the bullpen, there will be no spot for him."

He added, "In addition to Kim Jin-soo, we need one more long reliever. If a long reliever is needed for a one-run lead, Kim Yoon-sik or Lee Jeong-yong must pitch long, or the one starter removed from the rotation will take on the long reliever role."

A five-starter survival battle, difficult for other teams to attempt, is imminent. When asked by reporters if this was a happy dilemma, Manager Yeom replied, "There is absolutely no room for excess. In a 144-game (long-term) race, where is there any room for excess? We will remove the worst of the five and use them twice. If they perform poorly twice in a row, they must be rested without exception."

He emphasized, "A poor performer will rest for 10 days while another player fills their spot. The difference between having one and not having one is vast. This allows our starting resources to be used effectively. From the moment Son Ju-young's pitch count increases, the rotation will proceed in this manner."

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*This content was translated by AI.