'Yang Ui-ji Headshot' Hit Park Jun-young Also Startled, Coach Kim Kyung-moon: "Glad It Wasn't Worse, Must See His Next Appearance" [Incheon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Former student Yang Ui-ji (Doosan) collapsed while covering his face. Park Jun-young (24, Hanwha Eagles), the starting pitcher he had trusted, bowed his head after his first professional career ejection for a headshot. Kim Kyung-moon (68), Hanwha's manager, expressed his unease and hoped that Park Jun-young could shake it off and get back up.

Park Jun-young started against the Doosan Bears at Daejeon Hanwha Life Dream Park on the 25th in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game. In the bottom of the 4th inning with no outs and a runner on first, he threw a pitch that struck Yang Ui-ji in the face and was immediately ordered ejected for a headshot.

After joining as a developmental player, Park Jun-young secured a spot in the starting rotation and earned Coach Kim Kyung-moon's trust by pitching over five innings with vigorous delivery.

On this day, he also pitched scoreless through the 3rd inning, but his control suddenly wavered in the 4th. After issuing a walk to Park Jun-soon, he faced Yang Ui-ji, and a 138 km/h fastball on the first pitch struck Yang's face with force.

Yang Ui-ji collapsed, and Park Jun-young could not hide his bewildered expression. Park Jun-young, who wore an apologetic look, only returned to the bench after the Doosan coaching staff reassured him that he was fine.

Jung Woo-ju, who had not been fully prepared, also faltered. He allowed a 2-run triple to Kim Min-seok and a 1-run single to Oh Myung-jin. Doosan added one run each in the 6th and 7th innings, and ultimately lost 3-5.

Fortunately, a serious injury was avoided. Hospital examinations revealed no major issues, and Yang Ui-ji expressed his intention to voluntarily start in the game against the KIA Tigers at home on this day.

Coach Kim Kyung-moon met with reporters on the 26th ahead of the away game against the SSG Landers at Incheon SSG Landers Field, saying, "After yesterday's game, I went to see the opposing team, and fortunately, his face was fine. I'm glad it wasn't worse. If he had been seriously injured, we would have felt uncomfortable, and (Park) Jun-young would have felt even worse."

Kim did not say anything special to Park Jun-young. The coach added, "Sometimes, when people keep saying nice things here and there, it can be very uncomfortable. The pitching coach likely spoke to him first. Jun-young is a pitcher who started in the 2nd division and made his first start in the 1st division this year, so he must have been very surprised himself. Ryu Hyun-jin took him aside after the game to offer his condolences."

This scene could become a trauma not only for the batter who was hit but also for the pitcher who threw it. It could lead to poor control on inside pitches or make it difficult to throw them at all. Manager Kim said, "I hope he feels a bit better. I think we need to see how he handles inside pitches in the next game."

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*This content was translated by AI.