13 wins: foreign investor and national team left-hander make simultaneous comeback! KBO's only six-pitcher rotation about to open, 'ERA 2nd in league' LG mound gets even 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 pulled when the team is winning, but will be brought in when trailing by one or two runs to build up his workload."

He continued, "If Ju-young pitches well, he could turn the game around. We will keep him in the (first division) roster and use him as a long reliever or in a chase role. In low-pressure situations, regardless of the outcome, 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, meanwhile, has not made his season debut yet. He focused solely on rehabilitation after suffering a strain in his right adductor muscle during catch practice just before the season opener.

As a result, LG's dream of a six-pitcher rotation, unique in the KBO, is no longer just a fantasy. Led by ace Anders Tolhurst, along with Asia quota pitcher Lachlan Wells, Im Chan-kyu, and Song Seung-gi, the team has already recorded the league's second-best ERA (3.67). The addition of a foreign pitcher who achieved 13 wins (6 losses) last season and contributed to the Korean Series championship, plus a left-hander with 11 wins (6 losses), will make the LG mound even more formidable.

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

He added, "We need one more long reliever besides Kim Jin-soo. If a long reliever is needed for a one-run lead, either Kim Yoon-sik or Lee Jeong-yong will have to pitch long. The starter who is 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 wasn't a happy dilemma, Manager Yeom replied, "There is absolutely no room for excess. In a 144-game (long-term) race, who has spare players? We will remove the worst performer among 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. Having one player or not makes a world of difference. This allows our starting resources to be used effectively. From the moment Son Ju-young's pitch count increases, the rotation will begin to turn in this manner."

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*This content was translated by AI.