'77-pitch QS+ performance' KT's foreign pitcher replacement, why wasn't he used in the 8th inning... The existing foreign pitcher's rehab was extended by two weeks, "Logan will pitch on a four-day turn" [Suwon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) revealed the reason for pulling Logan Allen (29) early after his strong performance the previous day (the 3rd).

Manager Lee Kang-cheol, ahead of the home game against Lotte Giants at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 4th as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, candidly explained the decision to pull Logan the previous day: "If the score had been tied, we would have kept him in. We were down by two runs and saw no signs of a comeback."

The previous day, Logan started and achieved a Quality Start Plus with six hits allowed (one home run), two earned runs, and zero strikeouts over seven innings. A Quality Start Plus is awarded to starting pitchers who pitch at least seven innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs. Logan's pitch count was only 77 through the seventh inning, suggesting he could have easily pitched into the eighth. However, the offense was the problem. KT batters managed just five hits and two walks, struggling even to reach third base. The only critical opportunity came in the bottom of the fourth with two outs and runners on second and third.

There was another reason. Recently, KT's pitching mound has collapsed, posting an ERA of 4.88 and ranking eighth in the league. In particular, the starting rotation has dropped to ninth in the league with an ERA of 4.60 after ace Caleb Boshiri left due to injury.

Compounding the issue, the absence of Boshiri, who was demoted from the first division on February 2nd due to a right shoulder injury, has become more prolonged, making Logan's utilization increasingly important. A KT club official explained: "Boshiri underwent an intermediate checkup yesterday and was advised that he needs about two additional weeks for recovery from his existing subscapularis injury in the right shoulder."

Therefore, the possibility of extending Logan's six-month contract by the end of this month cannot be ignored. Manager Lee Kang-cheol said with a wry smile: "We plan to use Logan on a four-day turn, so he shouldn't pitch too much. Using him through the eighth inning could have resulted in nothing but trouble. As expected, we gave up two runs as soon as the bullpen came in."

With August 15th approaching—the deadline under KBO regulations for foreign players to be eligible for postseason games—KT plans to give Boshiri sufficient time for a build-up program.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol expressed his complex feelings: "We might extend Logan's contract a bit more. Boshiri could go to the minor league and build up until he can throw 90 pitches. If his shoulder is still problematic, we may need to replace him, so we must evaluate carefully. We now have to make good choices. It seems we need to think this through."

On this day, KT lined up with Ryu Hyun-jin (third baseman), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Ahn Hyeon-min (designated hitter), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Jang Jin-hyuk (right fielder), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Ko Young-pyo.

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*This content was translated by AI.