'Kim Ji-chan hamstring → Diaz dizziness': What will Samsung do... Key players sidelined one after another ahead of rest period [Daegu on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Samsung Lions, engaged in a fierce battle for first place in the first half, have been forced into emergency mode. Concerns mounted as key players were repeatedly replaced due to injuries.

A Samsung club official announced on the 9th at the home game against LG Twins held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season that "Diaz was substituted for player protection after experiencing mild dizziness."

On this day, Lewin Diaz, who started as the fifth batter and first baseman, was replaced by Jeon Byeong-woo before the bottom of the fifth inning when both teams were tied 3-3.

It did not look promising from the start. In his first at-bat in the second inning, Diaz swung and missed three consecutive times against Lachlan Wells' curveball and slider, resulting in a three-pitch strikeout. In the bottom of the third with two outs and runners on first and second, he repeatedly made contact with Wells' high fastball but was eventually thrown out by a fly ball to center field.

Prior to that, Kim Ji-chan was also substituted out. Starting as the leadoff hitter and center fielder, Kim recorded one hit, one run scored, and one strikeout in two at-bats. In the top of the third with no outs and a runner on first, he grounded into a fielder's choice to second base, allowing the preceding runner to be out while he remained on first. Later, during Park Seung-kyu's walk, he advanced to second base, and after Ku Ja-wook's fly ball to center field, he reached third base. He eventually scored when Choi Hyung-won hit a two-run single to left field.

However, pain developed during this process. Unfortunately, it was a hamstring strain with a high risk of recurrence. Consequently, the Samsung club substituted Kim Ji-chan for Kim Hyun-jun before the bottom of the fourth inning for player protection.

Naturally, Samsung's lineup aimed at reclaiming first place weakened. Originally, Samsung had set its batting order as follows: Kim Ji-chan (center field), Park Seung-kyu (right field), Ku Ja-wook (left field), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Lewin Diaz (first baseman), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Kim Young-woong (third baseman), Sim Jae-hoon (shortstop), and Yang Woo-hyun (second baseman). The starting pitcher was Won Tae-in.

However, with two regular position players sidelined, Samsung faced a difficult game. Prior to this match, Samsung held a record of 50 wins, 2 draws, and 32 losses, trailing first-place LG (52 wins, 32 losses) by just one game. Had Samsung won today's game, they could have erased the gap in games behind and secured first place based on winning percentage to close out the first half.

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*This content was translated by AI.