'Sudden Blow': KIA Full-Time Starter Suddenly Halts 'ITP Rehabilitation' — What Happened?... Manager Says, "It Will Be Difficult for a While"

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Do-hyun (26), who served as a full-time starter for the KIA Tigers last year, is expected to have his return further delayed. Having temporarily paused the Interval Throwing Program (ITP) process, more time appears to be needed.

Lee Beom-ho, KIA manager, stated on the 14th ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game against the Doosan Bears at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field regarding Kim Do-hyun: "I understand he was undergoing rehabilitation but has currently halted the ITP. We believe more time will likely be needed."

He added, "I have only heard that he is calmly focusing on recovery. He is not yet considering whether he will return. I think it will be somewhat difficult for the time being."

Kim Do-hyun, who graduated from Gilwon Elementary (Dongdaemun), Jamsin Middle School, and Sinil High School, was drafted by the Hanwha Eagles in the 2019 second-round rookie draft as the 33rd overall pick in the fourth round. In his debut year, Kim appeared in 11 games, posting a record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and a 4.26 ERA, demonstrating his potential.

However, he ultimately failed to secure a firm spot with Hanwha. In April 2022, he joined the KIA Tigers via trade. At that time, KIA sent pitchers Lee Min-woo and outfielder Lee Jin-young to Hanwha in exchange for Kim Do-hyun. Following this, Kim Do-hyun enlisted in the military in August 2022 and was discharged in February 2024.

His full-scale activity began in the 2024 season. That year, he alternated between starting and relief roles, appearing in 35 games with a record of 4 wins, 6 losses, 3 holds, and a 4.92 ERA. He pitched 75 innings, allowing 87 hits (9 home runs), issuing 31 walks, hitting 9 batters, recording 59 strikeouts, and surrendering 45 runs (41 earned runs).

He then served as one of KIA's five full-time starters in the 2025 season. Starting all 24 games he appeared in that year, he posted a record of 4 wins, 7 losses, and a 4.81 ERA. He logged a career-high 125⅓ innings, allowing 149 hits (11 home runs), issuing 33 walks, hitting 10 batters, recording 71 strikeouts, and surrendering 79 runs (67 earned runs).

However, since the Gwangju Lotte game on September 11 last year, he has not returned to the mound. During that game, he pitched only one inning before complaining of right elbow pain and was removed from the mound early. A detailed examination confirmed a stress fracture. He chose to focus on natural recovery without undergoing surgery.

However, the situation does not appear to be easy. He was unable to participate in last winter's spring training, as it was deemed too strenuous to complete the spring training schedule. Recently, he has even halted the Interval Throwing Program (ITP), making an immediate return in the second half of the season increasingly unlikely.

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*This content was translated by AI.