This can't be! Cho Hyung-woo removed from lineup, Choi Jeong also excluded from starting rotation, SSG hit by a wave of injuries... Lee Seong-yong sighs, "I have nothing to say."

*This content was translated by AI.

A thunderbolt struck the SSG Landers, who suffered a shocking walk-off defeat against the "last-place" Kiwoom Heroes the previous day (19th). First, team cornerstone hitter Choi Jeong (39) was excluded from the starting lineup due to injury aftermath, and then key catcher Cho Hyung-woo (24) also had to leave for a while due to injury. Facing a string of bad luck, SSG manager Lee Seong-yong (55) let out a deep sigh.

Manager Lee Seong-yong met with reporters ahead of the Kiwoom Heroes game to be held at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 20th, conveying the team's injury situation. Unable to hide his bitter feelings amidst the relay of injuries, the manager said, "I have nothing to say today."

The most closely watched issue was the condition of star hitter Choi Jeong. Choi Jeong felt discomfort during a swing in the top of the ninth inning of the previous day's game and was replaced by pinch runner Hong Dae-in. A medical examination diagnosed inflammation of the left femur. The manager explained, "We'll need to monitor him for about two to three days. He had an MRI today, and while it's not a major injury, he still needs to be watched for now." As a result, Choi Jeong was excluded from today's starting lineup.

Furthermore, the departure of Cho Hyung-woo, who guarded the home plate, is a painful blow. Cho Hyung-woo was injured during a home tag in the seventh inning of the previous day's game and was substituted. A medical examination diagnosed damage to the left shoulder joint capsule. Recovery is expected to take about two weeks, so he will be removed from the roster for the time being. Ahead of today's game, veteran catcher Kim Min-sik was called up. The manager expressed regret, saying, "Hyung-woo will likely take a bit longer. We'll need to conduct another examination in about 10 days."

As key players continued to fall, SSG faced a major crisis as it entered the mid-season point. The manager said, "We are trying hard to find a way to maximize the players currently on the roster," and added, "To be honest, I think we are just in a situation where we have to endure it for now."

Nevertheless, there is some good news. Key infielder Park Sung-han, who was absent from the lineup the previous day, has returned to the starting lineup. Although he was excluded from the starting lineup on the 19th due to slight discomfort in his calf, he was included in the starting lineup the following day. Manager Lee Seong-yong commented on Park Sung-han, "He's not at 100% yet, but he said he feels a bit better after resting. He is a very responsible guy." Additionally, Oh Tae-gon, who was completely left out of the game, may now be able to play.

SSG set its starting lineup against Kiwoom starter Ha Young-min as follows: Park Sung-han (shortstop), Jung Jun-jae (second baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Heredia (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), An Sang-hyun (third baseman), Lee Jung-beom (first baseman), Lee Ji-young (catcher), and Chae Hyun-woo (right fielder). The starting pitcher is foreign left-hander Benigniano.

With physical strain and a string of injuries compounding, SSG faces its greatest crisis, and manager Lee Seong-yong's worries deepen on how to overcome this.

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*This content was translated by AI.