What suddenly happened to KIA? The surprise trade protagonist plus two compensation players left all at once. Why?→Commander-in-chief: "There's a possibility of a sudden, significant improvement" Expectations rise

*This content was translated by AI.

With the season in full swing, KIA Tigers made a bold decision. These players, who could be described as the core of the team moving forward, have left the lineup, and there was a reason. They had departed for training in the "neighboring country" Japan to develop even better skills.

According to KIA officials, Lee Ui-ri, Kim Si-hoon, Kang Hyo-jong, and Hong Min-gyu will undergo special training at NEXT BASE ATHLETES LAB in Ichikawa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, until the 28th. The club stated, "They departed on the 10th," and added that it is a "short-term dispatch."

KIA is looking far ahead, not just at the immediate future.

KIA manager Lee Beom-ho, the team's commander-in-chief, spoke about them ahead of the the 12th match against the Gwangju Doosan Bears. "We heard there was a good place, so we decided to send them," he said. "We heard that place is very confident in its ability to increase pitching velocity and improve control in a short period. While our team is currently facing a difficult and critical situation with pitchers, we felt it would be fine for them to be away for about two weeks."

The manager continued, "Until the first half of the season ends, their utilization in the second half will depend on the condition they show. This will also impact the team's performance. We believe they might gain confidence by going there, and there is a possibility of a sudden, significant improvement. Rather than getting worse compared to now, we think a situation where they can improve can be created, and since two weeks is enough time to make a challenge, we made the decision."

The most notable name on this short-term dispatch list is Lee Ui-ri, who has served as a national team left-handed pitcher. Lee Ui-ri underwent Tommy John surgery in June 2024 and has struggled this season. He has appeared in 10 games with a record of 1 win, 6 losses, and an ERA of 9.42. Over a total of 35 1/3 innings, he allowed 41 hits (8 home runs), issued 33 walks, recorded 39 strikeouts, and gave up 37 runs (37 earned runs), with a WHIP of 2.09 and a batting average against of 0.295.

Previously, Lee Ui-ri took a break from the first-team roster from the 17th to the 26th, spending ten days recovering. Despite this, he struggled in the recent game against the LG Twins on May 29, allowing 4 hits (1 home run), issuing 4 walks, recording 1 strikeout, and giving up 6 runs (6 earned runs) over 2 innings.

Additionally, on May 28, KIA signed Japanese Asian quota starter Keisho Shirakawa for a total contract value of $100,000 (a $20,000 signing bonus, a $40,000 annual salary, and a $40,000 option), enriching their starting rotation. With the addition of Shirakawa, they now have six starting resources: James Nail, Adam Oller, Yang Hyeon-jong, Hwang Dong-ha, Kim Tae-hyung, and Shirakawa.

As a result, it can be said that Lee Ui-ri's spot is effectively gone for now. Manager Lee Beom-ho also said regarding Lee Ui-ri's return timing, "I don't know. We need to see how our starters rotate. We also need to win games. We are thinking of using the best starting resources accordingly." A KIA official stated, "Lee Ui-ri was dispatched following a meeting with the club and the club's proposal."

Kim Si-hoon also departed for Japan. Kim Si-hoon was one of the main figures acquired when KIA executed a massive 3-for-3 trade with NC Dinos in late July last year. At that time, KIA sent outfielders Choi Won-jun and Lee Woo-seong, and infielder Hong Jong-pyo to NC in exchange for pitchers Kim Si-hoon and Han Jae-seung, and infielder Jung Hyun-chang.

However, since donning the KIA uniform, Kim Si-hoon has yet to show any significant performance. This season, he has recorded 2 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 13.50 over 2 innings in 2 games. In the Futures League this year, he appeared in 20 games with 1 win, no losses, 3 holds, and an ERA of 3.92, allowing 20 hits (3 home runs), issuing 7 walks, recording 1 hit-by-pitch, 16 strikeouts, and giving up 9 runs (9 earned runs) over a total of 20 2/3 innings.

Hong Min-gyu also boarded a flight to Japan. Hong Min-gyu was the player designated by KIA as compensation for Park Chan-ho (Doosan Bears) in November last year. After graduating from Seoul Nonghyeon Elementary School (Yongsan-gu Little League), Daewon Middle School, and Yatab High School, Hong Min-gyu joined Doosan in the 2025 Rookie Draft as the 26th overall pick in the 3rd round. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 20 games (2 starts), recording 2 wins, 1 loss, 1 save, and an ERA of 4.59. Over 33 1/3 innings, he allowed 37 hits (4 home runs), issued 15 walks, recorded 17 strikeouts, and gave up 19 runs (17 earned runs), with a WHIP of 1.56 and a batting average against of 0.280.

This season, Hong Min-gyu appeared in 15 games with a record of 1 win, 2 losses, and an ERA of 8.35. Over a total of 18 1/3 innings, he allowed 27 hits (2 home runs), issued 7 walks, recorded 16 strikeouts, and gave up 17 runs (17 earned runs), with a WHIP of 1.85 and a batting average against of 0.338. His Futures League record shows 1 hold and an ERA of 4.05 in 6 games.

A KIA official emphasized, "Kim Si-hoon and Hong Min-gyu are resources who can bolster the bullpen in the second half of the season when pitchers' stamina declines," and added, "The dispatch of Lee Ui-ri, Kim Si-hoon, and Hong Min-gyu is a decision made in preparation for the second half of the season."

Kang Hyo-jong also went to Japan. Kang Hyo-jong completed his military service with the Army Baseball Team and was discharged on the 1st. After graduating from Jodong Elementary School (Ilsanseo-gu Little League), Chungam Middle School, and Chungam High School, Kang Hyo-jong donned the LG Twins uniform after being selected in the first round of the 2021 draft. Following the end of the 2024 season, he was designated as compensation for Jang Hyun-sik (LG Twins) and moved to KIA. He is a starting resource known as a right-handed pitcher with a powerful fastball, garnering high expectations. In the Futures League this year, while with the Army team, he recorded 0 wins, 0 losses, an ERA of 6.00, allowing 3 hits (1 home run), recording 3 strikeouts, and giving up 2 runs (2 earned runs) over 3 innings in 3 games. A KIA official stated, "He was discharged from the Army, and we dispatched him to conduct a general check on his current condition."

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*This content was translated by AI.