'Batting average 0.377' star Park Sung-han is out → Oh Tae-gon also sidelined! The reason revealed directly by Lee Sung-yong

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Sung-han (28), the 2026 KBO League batting leader and a key infielder for the SSG Landers, was omitted from the starting lineup for the Kiwoom Heroes game on the 19th. 'Veteran outfielder' Oh Tae-gon (35) is also scheduled to sit out the game on the 19th.

The SSG starting lineup released ahead of the away game against Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 19th did not include the name of Park Sung-han, who has played in every game this season.

The reason was revealed to be poor physical condition. Ahead of the game on the 19th, SSG manager Lee Sung-yong met with on-site reporters and directly stated Park Sung-han's current condition regarding his omission from the starting lineup: "He felt pain in his left hamstring starting from last Sunday's (17th) game," and "He said it felt less like pain and more like his muscles were tightening up."

Currently, Park Sung-han has played in all 42 games this season, posting a .377 batting average (60 hits in 159 at-bats), 3 home runs, 29 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.988, delivering outstanding performance not only for his team but also among the league leaders. However, manager Lee Sung-yong appears to have chosen a long season run and injury prevention over immediate overexertion.

Manager Lee Sung-yong said, "He insisted on playing today as well," but added, "After discussing with the training staff, we decided it would be better for him to stay on the bench today and prepare accordingly."

He continued, "Since there are many games left to play, as part of thorough management, he will be on standby today, ready to enter as a pinch hitter depending on the game situation in the later innings," clearly stating his intention not to force him into the starting lineup.

An Sang-hyun will start at shortstop, the position vacated by Park Sung-han, as the leadoff hitter. Facing Kiwoom's left-handed starting pitcher Park Jung-hoon, SSG arranged its lineup as follows: An Sang-hyun (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Choi Jeong (third baseman), Heredia (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Chae Hyun-woo (right fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), and Lee Jung-beom (first baseman).

Manager Lee Sung-yong explained, "(Park) Seong-han is also struggling, and so is (Choi) Jeong; overall, the position players are having a tough time. We are going through a difficult period, and as the manager, what I can do is save their stamina as much as possible," while also announcing Oh Tae-gon's absence. Regarding Oh Tae-gon, manager Lee added, "His shoulder was not good after sliding in the previous game. There was no issue on the MRI, but he likely won't be able to play today's game. We need to re-evaluate his condition ahead of the game on the 20th."

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*This content was translated by AI.