'1-inning exit' Lotte's 157 km/h foreign pitcher injured... Strained lower back, removed from 1st division roster: "Taking a turn off the rotation"

*This content was translated by AI.

Alvin Rodriguez (28, Lotte Giants), who had raised concerns after being pulled after just one inning the previous day (24th), will take a turn off the starting rotation.

A Lotte club official stated on the 25th: "Rodriguez and Koo Seung-min have been removed from the 1st division roster. Rodriguez visited Samseon Hospital today (25th) for a checkup to confirm his condition. The examination confirmed a strained lower back. He was removed from the roster to rest as part of the starting rotation schedule."

Rodriguez is a right-handed fireballer who threw a fastball clocking up to 157 km/h, drawing high expectations since before the season. He threw 153 km/h during spring training and delivered a dominant start (eight or more innings with one or fewer earned runs) against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok on the 10th, further raising expectations.

However, since May, he has struggled with a 7.02 ERA over four games. On the previous day (24th) against the Busan Samsung Lions, he allowed two hits (including one home run) in one inning with no walks and two strikeouts, giving up two runs before voluntarily exiting the game.

The sudden stiffness in his lower back was the cause, and the injury was confirmed by the checkup results the following day. The Lotte club will monitor his progress after giving Rodriguez some rest.

Alongside him, veteran right-hander Koo Seung-min (36) was also notified to report to the minor league. According to a Lotte club official, it is not due to injury. Koo has struggled to play in the 1st division since 2024, having appeared in 66 games, due to injuries and poor performance.

He also began the season in the Futures League and only made it to the 1st division on the 23rd of last month. However, his opportunities have been limited for over a month. He recorded a 6.00 ERA over six games, pitching only six innings, and was heavily shaken the previous day, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out one in two-thirds of an inning, giving up three runs.

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*This content was translated by AI.