'So annoying,' Lotte again. And again. And again. And again. And again. Injuries... 5th player in 5 days. This time, a 23-year-old infielder is injured.

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants players keep getting injured. Already five in the past five days. This time, backup infielder Han Tae-yang (23) was excluded from the first-division roster due to an ankle injury.

The Lotte organization announced a change in its first-division roster ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season away game against KIA Tigers at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 4th.

Infielder Han Tae-yang was removed from the first-division roster, and veteran infielder Kim Min-seong (38) took his place. Along with him, hitting coach Jung Kyung-bae (52) also moved up to the first division.

The reason was an ankle injury sustained while running the bases the previous day (the 3rd). Han Tae-yang came to bat as the leadoff hitter in the top of the second inning of the Gwangju-KIA game on the 3rd and reached base with a hit to left-center field. He later successfully stole second base and scored on Hwang Sung-bin's sacrifice fly to left field, completing all nine innings without issue.

However, accumulated pain eventually caught up with his ankle. A Lotte organization official stated, "Player Han Tae-yang suffered a sprain in his right ankle while returning to first base after hitting a hit to left-center field in the top of the second inning of yesterday's (3rd) game. There were no issues during the game, but he reported discomfort today (the 4th)."

Injuries keep popping up day after day. It's become so annoying. Ahead of the game on the 3rd, infielder Park Seung-wook (34) and outfielder Jang Du-seong (26) were excluded from the starting lineup due to a left-side body sprain and a strain in the front of the left thigh muscle, respectively.

On the 2nd, the first game of the week, starting shortstop Jeon Min-jae (27) was hit by James Neill's (33) 146 km/h two-seam fastball on the edge of his left hand and was taken to the hospital. Fortunately, he was diagnosed with a simple contusion, but he had to miss the starting lineup for two consecutive days. All three players were substituted in during the late stages of the game on the 3rd and played defense, but it was clear their physical condition was not at 100%.

Victor Reyes (32), who was substituted out during the match against Changwon NC Dinos on the 31st of last month due to a right thigh cramp, also could not be deployed in outfield defense for three consecutive days. Fortunately, none of these injuries are major ones lasting months, and other injured players are returning one after another.

The fastest to return is foreign starting pitcher Yelvin Rodriguez (28). Rodriguez was excluded from the first-division roster on the 24th of last month due to back pain immediately after the game against Busan Samsung Lions. However, he has been training consistently while traveling with the first-division team and is on the verge of returning. According to a Lotte organization official, Rodriguez completed 30 bullpen pitches on the 2nd. Fortunately, there was no pain, and he is scheduled to return to the starting rotation in the home game against Hanwha Eagles on the 5th in Busan.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung said, "Rodriguez will start the first game against (Hanwha). (Lee) Min-seok will pitch once more as a starter, and then he will either rest or be moved."

Infielder Han Dong-hee (27) and outfielder Yoon Dong-hee (23), who were sidelined due to injuries last month, have also begun to seriously loosen up their bodies. Han Dong-hee injured his right internal oblique muscle (side), and Yoon Dong-hee injured his right pelvis while showering, keeping them out for an extended period. Manager Kim Tae-hyung stated, "Both players seem to have almost no pain. We will conduct further examinations, and if no abnormalities are found, we plan to have them move gradually."

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*This content was translated by AI.