'Rehabilitation Complete' Choi Ji-man Joins Ulsan for First Training Session, Even Treats Team to Coffee! Manager Says "Gradual Game Preparation Underway"; Potential Return in Lotte Match by Late June

*This content was translated by AI.

Veteran infielder Choi Ji-man (35), formerly of Major League Baseball (MLB), has finally completed all rehabilitation and participated in official team training, sending a clear signal of his full return. Choi, who announced his glamorous return by gifting the team refreshing coffee, stated his intention to focus on achieving a perfect physical condition rather than rushing. It is expected that his return stage will be the three consecutive Futures League games against the Lotte Giants, starting as early as the 27th at home.

Choi Ji-man participated in the team's official training for the first time at Ulsan Baseball Stadium on the 15th, syncing up with his teammates. This marks his first official move with the team after completing a long, separate personal rehabilitation process.

According to the Ulsan club and the player's side, Choi Ji-man celebrated his first return by personally preparing and serving coffee to the players and staff, creating a warm atmosphere. Amid visits from reporters and scouts from other teams, Choi went through batting and fielding drills, displaying the composure and conviction of a veteran.

Through the club, Choi Ji-man said, "I haven't been with the team long enough to fully feel the atmosphere yet," but added, "I want to get close to my younger teammates naturally, like an older brother. Instead of teaching them unilaterally, I believe it is right to share my experiences when they have questions." He showed a mature attitude.

Regarding his first batting practice in a long time, he noted, "The Korean official baseball has thicker stitching compared to the American one, so the sound and feel of the hit felt different," but added, "My batting feel was better than I worried, and many reporters and club officials visited, so I wanted to show a good performance."

Regarding his current physical condition and rehabilitation level, he explained, "I think my current physical condition is about 70 to 80 percent," and continued, "I am in a state where I can do fielding drills, but rather than forcing my pace, I plan to prepare gradually. In anticipation of my return, there were even parts where I felt worse than two weeks ago, so I am currently focusing on management," signaling a thorough pace adjustment.

Regarding his thoughts on the upcoming September rookie draft, he said, "There was pressure, but I gained a lot of confidence during rehabilitation," while adding, "I believe it is right for opportunities to go to younger players rather than being drafted in higher rounds," calmly sharing his inner thoughts. On Ulsan, the club's home city, he smiled, saying, "I got the impression of a city with good air and quietness. It is so comfortable that it reminds me of the small-town atmosphere during my minor league days in the United States."

Choi Ji-man concluded, "Although I am in a situation where I must show performance within a short period, I have confidence. I don't know how the results will turn out, but I cannot step onto the field without confidence. If I can maintain my health, I can show a good performance," he emphasized.

Ulsan manager Jang Won-jin also expressed expectations for Choi Ji-man's return but proposed a 'gradual utilization' plan, prioritizing the player's health above all else.

Manager Jang Won-jin stated, "Since Choi Ji-man is a player returning after knee rehabilitation, we judge that an immediate full-time starting appearance is too much. In the early stages of his return, we plan to have him serve as a pinch hitter, and gradually increase his playing time as a designated hitter and first baseman."

Furthermore, Manager Jang said, "We plan to gradually improve his game sense while prioritizing the player's physical condition," and added, "As a player with rich experience and competitiveness accumulated in Major League Baseball, we expect him to be a great help to the team's strength. We hope he will add weight to the lineup from the center and contribute to improving scoring productivity."

Choi Ji-man's official return date will be finally decided through consultation with the manager. While the general stance is not to rush his return, there is no denying the possibility of him stepping onto the field at an earlier time than fans might expect, depending on the speed of his condition recovery. At this point, the most likely date for his first game is the three consecutive home games against Lotte starting on June 27. Of course, there is room for change depending on his physical condition.

With the addition of a power hitter from the big leagues, the weight of the center lineup can be strengthened. It remains to be seen whether Choi Ji-man can make a glamorous return debut in front of Ulsan fans by the end of June.

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*This content was translated by AI.