'This can't be!' Lee Jae-hyun, entry removed due to worsening lumbar bone bruise; return schedule to be coordinated after re-examination in two weeks. Kang Min-ho also excluded.

*This content was translated by AI.

Lee Jae-hyun (24), a key infielder for the Samsung Lions, was ultimately removed from the first-division roster due to worsening lower back pain. Along with him, 'Veteran Catcher' Kang Min-ho (41) was also temporarily excluded from the first-division roster.

On the 13th, Samsung announced, "Lee Jae-hyun has been experiencing persistent pain in the lumbar bone area and underwent a detailed MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examination on the 12th." The club added, "Following cross-diagnoses at multiple hospitals, the consensus is that the previously identified bone bruise symptoms have not improved."

Accordingly, Samsung, prioritizing player safety and complete recovery, excluded Lee Jae-hyun from the first-division roster ahead of the home game against SSG Landers to be held on the 13th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

For the time being, Lee Jae-hyun plans to halt technical training and focus on treatment and rest. A Samsung official stated, "Lee Jae-hyun is scheduled to rest for about two weeks before undergoing a re-examination. After confirming the examination results, we will specifically establish a schedule for resuming training and returning based on his physical condition."

Lee Jae-hyun, who has been serving as Samsung's regular starting shortstop this season, has demonstrated an irreplaceable presence on both offense and defense. This season, he has played in 38 games, recording a .243 batting average (27 hits in 111 at-bats), 8 home runs, and 21 RBIs. He was also named to the final roster for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games baseball national team, announced on the 11th, earning recognition as a representative next-generation shortstop in the league. However, due to the lingering effects of persistent lower back pain, he has unfortunately had to take a brief break.

Kang Min-ho, who has recently been struggling with batting performance, is also taking a short break due to a hernia. Kang Min-ho, who has recorded a .250 batting average (34 hits in 136 at-bats), 4 home runs, and 24 RBIs in 48 games this season, has had a poor batting average of .188 (6 hits in 32 at-bats) in his last 10 games.

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*This content was translated by AI.