'Oh no!' Shocking headshot knocks down KBO's top catcher → Starts game against KIA the very next day! Is he made of iron? Manager says, "Truly remarkable" [Jamsil]

*This content was translated by AI.

KBO League's top catcher Yang Eui-ji (39) is displaying 'iron-clad' fighting spirit by starting the game the day after suffering a headshot impact on the previous day (25th).

Doosan will play a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game against KIA Tigers at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium at 6:30 p.m. on the 26th.

For today's game, Doosan set the starting lineup as follows: Jung Soobin (center fielder), Ryu Seung-min (right fielder), Park Jun-soon (second baseman), Yang Eui-ji (designated hitter), Kim Min-seok (left fielder), Oh Myung-jin (first baseman), Ahn Jae-seok (third baseman), Yoon Jun-ho (catcher), and Park Chan-ho (shortstop). The starting pitcher for Doosan is Kwak Bin. The starting pitcher for KIA is Hwang Dong-ha.

It is notable that Yang Eui-ji is starting as the fourth hitter.

Yang Eui-ji was hit in the head by Hanwha Eagles' starting pitcher Park Jun-young during an away game against Hanwha Eagles held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Volleyball Park the previous day.

The incident occurred in the bottom of the 4th inning with the score tied at 0-0. There were no outs and a runner on first base. Park Jun-young threw a 138 km/h fastball on the first pitch. However, the pitch missed its target and headed straight for Yang Eui-ji's face.

Yang Eui-ji, struck by the pitch, collapsed on the spot and remained down for some time. Fortunately, he got up on his own and walked to the dugout with a towel pressed against the injured area of his face. Doosan did not remove Yang Eui-ji but instead sent Daz Cameron in as a pinch runner. Hanwha pitcher Park Jun-young was ejected for the headshot. This was the 8th headshot ejection of the season.

Initially, it seemed unlikely that Yang Eui-ji would play in the game on the 26th due to the aftermath of the headshot. There were even predictions that he might be removed from the first-division roster, but his choice was to start the game the very next day.

Doosan manager Kim Won-hyeong, the team's commander, said before today's game regarding Yang Eui-ji: "Fortunately, he says he is fine and can play. I wanted to sit him out for today, but he insists he is okay. He was hit hard, but luckily the helmet took the initial blow before his face was struck. If he had been hit directly, it could have been a serious situation."

Manager Kim then added with a joke, "He is truly remarkable. If it were me, I would definitely rest," and highly praised his fighting spirit.

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*This content was translated by AI.