'Calf Injury' Lotte's Son Seong-bin Excluded from Starting Lineup... Cannot Play as Pinch Runner or Pinch Hitter Either... Kim Jin-wook and Jeong Cheol-won Called Up [Busan Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants' aggressive base-stealer Son Seong-bin (29) was excluded from the starting lineup for injury management purposes.

On the 21st, Lotte announced its starting lineup for the home game against SSG Landers at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

Lotte's lineup today consists of Han Tae-yang (third baseman), Ko Seung-min (second baseman), Victor Reyes (left fielder), Han Dong-hee (designated hitter), Na Seung-yeop (first baseman), Jeon Min-jae (shortstop), Yoon Dong-hee (center fielder), Son Ho-young (right fielder), and Son Seong-bin (catcher). The starting pitcher is Jeremy Bissell.

Familiar names are absent. Son Seong-bin has recorded a .283 batting average (71 hits in 251 at-bats) with 20 RBIs, 38 runs scored, and 34 stolen bases this season, along with an on-base percentage of .331 and a slugging percentage of .355. He has led the league in stolen bases, serving as the team's aggressive base-stealer who disrupts opposing infielders.

However, Son Seong-bin was hit by a foul ball on his right calf during the sixth inning of the the 19th game against Daegu Samsung Lions and was given rest today. Before the game, Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung stated firmly, "Son Seong-bin will not be used as a pinch hitter, pinch runner, or pinch defender today."

Fortunately, starting pitcher Kim Jin-wook, who was substituted in the fifth inning of the same game, did not suffer a serious injury. Manager Kim Tae-hyung smiled and said, "I was worried because he stumbled during practice throws, but there's no report of any issue. I saw him running well earlier during practice."

Changes were also made to the first-division roster before the game. Right-handed pitcher Lee Jun-seo (20) and outfielder Shin Yun-hoo (30) were removed from the 1st division, while starting pitcher Bissell and reliever Jeong Cheol-won (27) were called up.

Jeong Cheol-won recorded one win, two losses, three holds, and an ERA of 6.85 in 30 games with the first division this season, spending much time in the minor league. In the Futures League, he posted a respectable 3.38 ERA over nine games. Manager Kim Tae-hyung responded, "Jeong Cheol-won will be used depending on the situation. We'll try using him in chase situations first, and if his performance is good, we may use him in critical moments as well."

With ample rest, Bissell is expected to perform as the top starter. He went 5-4 with a 4.48 ERA over 16 games in the first half, pitching 84⅓ innings and recording 97 strikeouts while adapting to the KBO. His appearances are scheduled for twice this week.

However, veteran Jeon Jun-woo (40) and Yu Gangnam (34) remain out of sight. Yu Gangnam hit .346 (18 hits in 52 at-bats) with a slugging percentage of .538 in 21 games in the Futures League, while Jeon Jun-woo hit .357 (20 hits in 56 at-bats) with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 20 games. Yet neither was called up this time.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung stated, "Given the current situation, it's unclear who to remove and who to bring in, so we plan to observe a bit longer."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.