'Sudden blow' trade protagonist collapses again in the first inning. 'Hamstring injury returns in comeback game'... "Decision on hospital examination to be made after monitoring progress" [Gocheok]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes outfielder Lee Ju-hyeong (25), who had been suffering from a hamstring injury, collapsed again due to an injury in his comeback game.

On the 25th, Lee Ju-hyeong started as the second hitter and center fielder in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game held at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, but was substituted out after only his first at-bat in the first inning.

With both teams tied 0-0, the Kiwoom Heroes were on offense in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Seo Geon-chang grounded out to the shortstop.

Lee Ju-hyeong then stepped up to the plate. He drew a ball on the first pitch, fouled off the second, swung and missed on the third, and fouled off the fourth. He drew a ball on the fifth, but on the sixth pitch, he hit a cutter to the left field for an out. Subsequent hitter Ryu also struck out, ending the inning with three up, three down for Kiwoom.

However, just before the top of the second inning, Kiwoom made a roster change. Manager Seol Jong-jin substituted Lee Ju-hyeong with Im Byung-wook.

The sudden substitution had a reason.

A Kiwoom official explained the reason for Lee Ju-hyeong's substitution: "He felt pain in his right hamstring during the top of the first inning and was substituted. We will monitor his condition and decide whether to have him examined at a hospital."

Lee Ju-hyeong joined Kiwoom through a 1-for-3 trade between Kiwoom and LG Twins in July 2023. At that time, LG received Choi Won-tae in exchange for Lee Ju-hyeong, pitcher Kim Dong-gyu, and a 2024 first-round draft pick.

Wearing the Heroes' uniform, Lee Ju-hyeong appeared in 115 games in the 2024 season and 127 games in the 2025 season, seemingly establishing himself as a regular starter.

However, frequent injuries seem to be holding him back.

Lee Ju-hyeong was removed from the first-division roster on May 12. At the time, Kiwoom stated regarding the reason for his removal: "He felt pain in his right hamstring during a base-running play in the bottom of the 11th inning of the May 9 game against KT Wiz. A medical examination on the 11th revealed a hamstring strain, and recovery is expected to take four weeks."

After focusing on rehabilitation, he played in the Futures League on the 21st and 22nd, and was unexpectedly called up to the first division on this day, immediately starting in the lineup. However, he suffered an unexpected injury in the first inning, forcing him to postpone his return.

This season, Lee Ju-hyeong has appeared in 23 games, posting a batting average of 0.247 (93 at-bats, 23 hits), 1 home run, 12 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 4 stolen bases (0 failed), an on-base percentage of 0.307, a slugging percentage of 0.430, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.737. In particular, while batting first or second in the lineup, he has been responsible for the center field position over 171⅔ innings.

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*This content was translated by AI.