Shh, it's a secret! LG keeps quiet about the July 1 starting pitcher: "It's not Kim Jin-su → could be Park Si-won or..." Effectively declaring a bullpen day

*This content was translated by AI.

After a grueling week with a makeshift and temporary starting rotation, LG Twins face yet another test of improvisation.

Amid consecutive injuries and gaps among its regular starting pitchers during the week, LG deployed irregular starters such as Jang Hyun-sik and Lee Jeong-yong, managing to secure a fragile 3-3 record. However, the limits were clear. Following starter Lee Jeong-yong's collapse on the 25th against Samsung, allowing eight runs in five innings, Jang Hyun-sik took the loss on the 29th against Lotte, giving up four runs in 2⅔ innings. With the bullpen's fatigue reaching its peak, including the early deployment of the winning lineup to break the losing streak, the situation is dire.

To make matters worse, a massive hole has opened in the upcoming starting rotation. On the 26th, LG removed Lee Jeong-yong from the first-division roster. As a result, the starting pitcher slot for the July 1 game against Kiwoom Heroes is now completely vacant. Song Seung-gi, who is preparing for a return from the minor league, is aiming to make an appearance in one of the three-game series against Samsung Lions in the first half.

In response, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop issued a strict gag order regarding the starting pitcher for the Kiwoom game on the 1st. While speaking to reporters, Manager Yeom stated, "We have already decided (internally) who will start tomorrow," but avoided mentioning any specific names.

However, he did leave a clear hint. Kim Jin-su, who has been overworked in the bullpen recently, has been completely excluded from consideration. Manager Yeom drew a line, saying, "Jin-su has the highest fatigue level recently, including the trip to Seoul for the Saitama game, so he has been excluded from tomorrow's starting card."

The options in Manager Yeom's plan are either Park Si-won or one of the "surprise middle relievers." Manager Yeom stated, "It will be either Park Si-won or one of the middle relievers," effectively previewing a "bullpen day." He added, "We need to conserve the bullpen today so they can be utilized as starters tomorrow," indicating that today's game operations are directly linked to tomorrow's irregular starting plan. He also conveyed his intention to reflect the bullpen usage in today's game.

Despite the steady exodus of players from both the pitching and position player departments, with Manager Yeom unable to hide his bitterness, saying, "This year seems to have the most severe attrition," his philosophy on "grinding it out" remains firm. Manager Yeom emphasized, "What matters in difficult situations is whether new cards can be created. As a manager who plays the odds, we must clearly accept losses in games we cannot win in order to compete in future matchups. We will strictly avoid overuse, such as three consecutive starts, and endure with a long-term perspective."

With LG throwing another "bullpen day" as a strategic move, it remains to be seen whether they can turn a crisis into an opportunity against Kiwoom.

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*This content was translated by AI.