Relieved Park Jin-man: "Two wins, four losses last week, but we held on well → Now it's about physical management"

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man (50) reflected on the intense past week and offered a relieved smile. Even as key team players struggled with injuries and a drop in form, he assessed that the team succeeded in "holding on" by securing the minimum number of wins needed.

Manager Park Jin-man met with reporters ahead of the midweek three-game road series against KT Wiz at the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League' at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 9th. "We had some ups and downs last week, finishing with two wins and four losses. Although the team was in a difficult situation, I believe we held on well," he said.

Samsung faced NC Dinos and KIA Tigers last week, posting a somewhat disappointing record of two wins and four losses. However, since the teams competing for first place, LG Twins and KT Wiz, also failed to significantly increase their win-loss margins, Samsung did not suffer major setbacks in the standings race.

Regarding this, Manager Park Jin-man added with an awkward smile, "Every team faces different situations. We had a difficult hurdle early in the season. In the end, baseball is a sport where the team that holds on wins."

Manager Park pointed out that the area he is most concerned about until the end of the first half is undoubtedly "player physical management." With the full heat of summer beginning, he believes that managing the stamina of veteran and foreign players will be the key to determining the team's fate.

Regarding veteran Choi Hyung-woo, whose form has declined since June, a management plan based on "physical factors" was also presented. Manager Park Jin-man stated, "Technically, there is nothing more I can expect from (Choi) Hyung-woo. It seems his form has dropped along with his physical condition. As the weather gets hotter, his defensive appearances will inevitably be limited. For now, I plan to manage him to focus on his role as a designated hitter and improve his concentration at the plate."

The core of physical management is the pitching mound, especially the starting rotation. Manager Park announced a strict management principle that starting pitchers will not be allowed to appear twice a week until the end of the first half of this season.

He also offered a warm assessment of Yang Chang-seop, who showed a somewhat disappointing performance in Sunday's game (the 7th). Regarding Yang Chang-seop, Manager Park said, "It was somewhat regrettable that he held two strikes well but allowed a run in Kim Tae-gun's at-bat. However, if he had gotten past that hurdle, he would have pitched longer. Since he did not collapse all at once or eliminate himself with a walk, he is performing his role well as a starter."

The reason Samsung is so careful with its starting rotation is to prepare for a "second-half surge." Manager Park explained, "We need to conserve stamina so that the starting rotation can function normally for the summer showdowns we must win in the second half," presenting a long-term perspective. Ariel Jurado has already been given a rest once.

Samsung has built its starting rotation for this week as Choi Won-tae, Won Tae-in, O'Klin, Jang Chan-hee, Jurado, and Yang Chang-seop, and is now hunting for wins.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.