"I was just about to try something," Manager Kim Won-hyeong sighs... Yang Jae-hoon, suffering from elbow ligament damage, ultimately undergoes surgery [Jamsil Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Another key player has been lost. Yang Jae-hoon (23), who had been a reliable pitcher for the Doosan Bears, is set to undergo surgery after injuring his elbow.

Ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against the Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd, the Doosan Bears announced the removal of Yang Jae-hoon from the first-division roster.

Yang Jae-hoon took the mound in a road game against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 31st of last month. He complained of pain in his right elbow during his pitching. After allowing two hits, one walk, and three earned runs without recording a single out, Yang left the mound, bowing his head in pain over an injury far more painful than the statistics.

According to the Doosan Bears organization, Yang Jae-hoon was diagnosed with a tear in the ligament of his right elbow following a detailed examination and is scheduled to undergo elbow ligament reconstruction surgery (MCL) in mid-June.

Along with Yang Jae-hoon, infielder Im Jong-seong was removed from the first-division roster, while pitcher Choi Ji-kang and infielder Ahn Jae-seok were called up.

After joining the team as a 7th-round rookie last year, Yang Jae-hoon recorded 2 wins, 3 losses, and 2 holds in 26 games over 24⅓ innings with an ERA of 5.92. This season, he showed further growth, appearing in 19 games over 23⅓ innings with no wins or losses, 1 save, and an ERA of 4.24, providing strength to the back of the Doosan bullpen.

Meeting with reporters, Doosan Manager Kim Won-hyeong said, "He is almost like a rookie, yet he was serving as a reliable pitcher this year. It is heartbreaking." He added, "He is accepting it calmly, but it is disappointing. Both he and I were hoping to achieve something good and move forward from a strong position, so he will likely be the most upset by this sudden, serious injury."

Before leaving the first division, he also received warm advice. Manager Kim said, "I told him that I feel the same pain. Regardless, since he must undergo surgery, I told him to take good care of his body after the operation."

This departure is particularly painful given that he was a pitcher who showed a steep growth trajectory, earning praise from Manager Kim at every turn. "It's heartbreaking. We shouldn't be seeing injured players again, yet here we are again," he lamented.

Choi Ji-kang will provide support. Wearing the Doosan uniform as a developmental player in 2022, Choi Ji-kang served as a reliable pitcher in 2024, though he has struggled with poor performance in both last year and this season. In the Futures League, he pitched 15⅔ innings in 12 games, recording 2 wins, no losses, 1 hold, and an ERA of 2.87, delivering solid pitching.

Manager Kim explained, "He has been pitching well in the minor league, so we decided to bring Ji-kang up to fill the spot left by (Yang) Jae-hoon."

One fortunate aspect is that Kim Taek-yeon's return is approaching. As the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 2024 draft, Kim Taek-yeon has fully fulfilled the role of Doosan's closer. This season, he has dominated in 9 games with no wins or losses, 3 saves, an ERA of 0.87, and a batting average against of 0.143, but has been sidelined since April 25 due to shoulder pain.

Manager Kim said, "Taek-yeon is scheduled to do live pitching tomorrow and is set to appear on the 6th and 8th. After completing those, if his physical condition is good, we will call him up afterward."

Doosan lined up the batting order today as follows: Jung Soobin (center fielder), Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Son Ah-seop (designated hitter), Das Cameron (right fielder), Kim Min-seok (left fielder), Yang Ui-ji (catcher), Ahn Jae-seok (third baseman), Kang Seung-ho (second baseman), and Park Ji-hoon (first baseman). The starting pitcher was Wes Benjamin.

Ahn Jae-seok, who has returned, immediately secured a spot in the starting lineup. Manager Kim said, "Jae-seok has no issues with his physical condition, so he will play in today's game. We need to see him. Park Ji-hoon will play first base, and Seung-ho will play second base." He continued, "It seems (Park) Jun-soon needs more time. Since Jae-seok is playing third base, Ji-hoon will try to stay at first base. Ji-hoon's original position is third base, but he has multi-position ability, so he is moving to first base."

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*This content was translated by AI.