"Hamstring, Recurrence Is Most Fearsome" July Return for Kim Young-woong; Samsung Adopts 'Extreme Caution' Even as Kim Do-hwan Joins

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions is maintaining "extreme caution" regarding the return process for players with hamstring injuries. This is especially true because they are more aware than anyone else of the severity of hamstring injuries. While the team expects infielder Kim Young-woong (23) to return to the first division around late June to early July, the same cautious approach applies to catcher Kim Do-hwan (26), another injured player, with the stance of "testing even a stone bridge before crossing."

Samsung manager Park Jin-man (50) met with reporters ahead of the game against NC Dinos held on the 3rd at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. When asked about the return timeline for Kim Young-woong, who was sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Park replied, "If he follows the recovery steps steadily and returns to normal, he could be back around late June. At the latest, he should be able to join the first division by early July."

Kim Young-woong, who hit 22 home runs last season and served as Samsung's starting third baseman, has been focusing on rehabilitation for nearly two months since being removed from the first division roster on April 21. Notably, he re-injured his hamstring during a Futures League game against NC Dinos on May 6, which delayed his return. Although he is a much-needed resource for the team, the club is approaching his recovery with caution.

Manager Park Jin-man noted that while veteran infielder Jeon Byung-woo (34) has filled the third baseman position, his physical burden has accumulated, leading to a slight decline in his batting rhythm. "Jeon Byung-woo is playing full time and is reaching a point where he is physically struggling. If Kim Young-woong returns, it will certainly be a big help," Park stated. However, he emphasized, "But with hamstring injuries, recurrence requires a recovery period longer than the initial rest period," clearly indicating that the team will not rush his return under any circumstances.

This "aesthetics of waiting" and cautious tone applies fully not only to Kim Young-woong but also to catcher Kim Do-hwan, another player returning from injury. When asked by reporters about the timing of Kim Do-hwan's return to actual gameplay, Manager Park Jin-man began by saying, "He is scheduled to play about seven innings in the Futures League today (the 3rd)," and added, "We need to monitor his physical condition continuously as he handles defense over long innings."

Kim Do-hwan, who was removed from the first division roster after the NC game on May 10, returned to play in the Futures League on the 1st and performed well through the Ulsan Whales game on the 3rd. Regarding Kim Do-hwan's return process, Manager Park Jin-man said, "As seen in Kim Young-woong's case, we will continue to monitor him until he is fully ready," maintaining a vigilant stance. He further stated, "For all injuries, including hamstring strains, the priority is to continuously check whether the player's physical condition has fully improved. We will determine the timing of his return to the first division only when he is completely prepared," demonstrating an extremely cautious attitude.

Currently, Samsung is successfully navigating this challenge by filling the gaps with the performances of replacement players such as Jeon Byung-woo and Jang Seung-hyun. If Kim Young-woong is followed by Kim Do-hwan, both fully recovering their physical condition to join the team as "complete players," Samsung is expected to gain stronger momentum for its "summer season" operations. However, the prerequisite for their return remains "complete recovery from injury," and the Samsung coaching staff has chosen a tone of "certainty" over haste.

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*This content was translated by AI.