[Breaking News] Ah! Lee Jung-hoo was suddenly substituted out in the 4th inning despite hitting a solid hit. What happened in the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks? Explanation from the U.S. local SF correspondent

*This content was translated by AI.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo (28) was suddenly substituted out in the 4th inning despite hitting a solid hit. According to a reporter covering the game in San Francisco, he was reported to have shown symptoms of a back spasm.

On the 19th (Korean time), Lee Jung-hoo started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder in the away game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, for the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season. He recorded 2 at-bats and 1 hit, but was substituted before the bottom of the 4th inning.

For this game, San Francisco set its starting lineup as follows: Lee Jung-hoo (right fielder), Luis Arraez (second baseman), Kyle Schmidt (left fielder), Rafael Devers (first baseman), Willy Adames (shortstop), Matt Chapman (third baseman), Bryce Eldridge (designated hitter), Harrison Bader (center fielder), and Eric Haase (catcher). The starting pitcher was Robbie Ray.

In response, Arizona set its starting lineup as follows: Ketel Marte (second baseman), Corbin Carroll (right fielder), Geraldo Perdomo (shortstop), Nolan Arenado (third baseman), Ildemaro Vargas (first baseman), Gabriel Moreno (catcher), Jose Fernandez (designated hitter), Tim Tawa (left fielder), and Ryan Woldschmidt (center fielder). The starting pitcher was Jack Gallen.

Lee Jung-hoo appeared as the leadoff hitter in the top of the 1st inning. He attempted to hit the fourth pitch with a favorable 2-1 count but was retired on a fly ball to left field.

Lee Jung-hoo's hit came in the 3rd inning. With one out and a runner on second base, Lee Jung-hoo perfectly connected with the third pitch in a 1-1 count, recording a hit to right field. This hit extended his hitting streak to five consecutive games.

During this time, the runner on second base, Bader, advanced to third base. Then, during Arraez's sacrifice bunt, Bader scored. However, Schmidt's ground ball to the shortstop ended the inning, and Lee Jung-hoo failed to score.

Lee Jung-hoo also successfully completed the bottom of the 3rd inning defensively. However, just before the top of the 4th inning, he was substituted for Will Brennan, concluding his participation in the game that day.

Much attention was focused on the sudden reason for his substitution. It turned out to be due to an injury.

Justice Delos Santos, the San Francisco correspondent for the local U.S. media outlet Mercury News, immediately explained on his personal social networking service (SNS): "Lee Jung-hoo was substituted out of today's game due to back spasm symptoms."

For Lee Jung-hoo, who had maintained good hitting form, this was unfortunate. The best-case scenario would be that it ends as simple pain.

After finishing today's game, Lee Jung-hoo's season statistics stand at 48 games played, with a batting average of 0.268 (179 at-bats, 48 hits), 3 home runs, 10 doubles, 17 RBIs, 20 runs scored, 10 walks, 22 strikeouts, an on-base percentage of 0.311, a slugging percentage of 0.385, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.711.

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*This content was translated by AI.