[Official] 'Sudden blow': Doosan's massive setback, the '3.8 billion won FA' pitcher, finally undergoes surgery. "Elbow ligament reconstruction surgery scheduled."

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Won-jun (32), the '3.8 billion won free agent (FA)' who had been a versatile pitcher on the Doosan Bears mound, will finally undergo surgery.

A Doosan official spoke on the 6th regarding Choi Won-jun's condition, who recently suffered an elbow injury, ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium.

Regarding Choi Won-jun, the official stated, "He felt pain in his elbow during bullpen pitching in late May. A medical examination diagnosed damage to the ligaments in his right elbow."

He further added, "He is scheduled to undergo elbow ligament reconstruction surgery (MCL) in mid-June."

For Doosan, where surgery for another pitcher, Yang Jae-hoon (elbow ligament reconstruction), was recently decided, this is a massive setback. Although Park Chi-guk, Lee Yong-chan, Lee Byung-hun, and Lee Young-ha have recently shown good form in the bullpen as a reliable relief corps, and Kim Taek-yeon is set to return soon, the news of Choi Won-jun's surgery is truly a sudden blow.

Choi Won-jun joined Doosan after being drafted first in 2017. Through the end of last season, he recorded 44 wins, 45 losses, 1 save, and 13 holds in 238 career KBO League games, spanning 834.2 innings with an ERA of 4.28. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 47 games, alternating between starting and relief roles, posting 4 wins, 7 losses, 9 holds, and an ERA of 4.71.

After gaining FA status following the end of last season, Choi Won-jun signed a contract with Doosan for a total of 3.8 billion won over four years.

At the time of the FA contract, the Doosan organization stated, "Choi Won-jun is one of the club's franchise stars who has always prioritized the team throughout his career. He has dedicated himself to the team by alternating between starting and relief roles in previous seasons." They also expressed expectations, saying, "He still possesses competitiveness in both skill and durability. We expect him to play a leadership role both on the mound and in the locker room."

This season, he appeared in two games, recording no wins or losses, allowing one hit, issuing one walk, and striking out one batter over two innings. His last game of the season was against the Samsung Lions on April 1.

After that Samsung game, Choi Won-jun complained of elbow pain. The following day, on the 2nd, he was removed from the first-division roster. He underwent a medical examination at a hospital and was diagnosed with minor damage to the flexor muscles in his right elbow. At the time, the diagnosis recommended at least three weeks of mandatory rest, and the club also believed that actual pitching would be difficult until mid-May. Unfortunately, he felt elbow pain again during the bullpen pitching process and will now undergo surgery this season, taking a brief break.

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*This content was translated by AI.