*This content was translated by AI.
A major setback struck Kiwoom Heroes, which had been on an upward trend in the second half. Yuto (27, Kanakubo Yuto), a Japanese-born pitcher and one of the team's core relievers serving as part of its 'double stopper' system, has been sidelined due to a shoulder injury.
On the 24th, Kiwoom secured a dramatic 8-5 victory over KIA Tigers in an away game at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League', thanks to An Chi-hong's walk-off three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning. However, behind the joy of victory lingered a bitter aftertaste: Yuto, the team's ace reliever on the mound, had already departed for Seoul due to an injury prior to the game.
According to the official medical report released by the club, Yuto experienced discomfort in his right shoulder during training (catching drills) ahead of the 24th game and was transferred to Seoul for a detailed examination. His participation in the upcoming three-game series in Gwangju is now uncertain, with future scheduling to be determined based on the results of the detailed checkup. Given the nature of the injury, a cautious approach is expected.
The dynamics of that day's game clearly demonstrated how painful Yuto's absence was. Kiwoom took control early thanks to starter An Woo-jin's solid five-inning performance allowing only two runs and Kim Woong-bin's two-run homer. However, the team fell into crisis in the later innings: it surrendered an equalizer in the sixth inning and a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh. Although Kiwoom tied the game again in the top of the eighth against KIA's key reliever Jo Sang-woo, the lack of a reliable closer to secure the late innings was a significant drawback. Had Yuto been available — who would have invariably taken the mound in the eighth or ninth inning — manager Seol Jong-jin would not have had to struggle so hard to hold off the opposition using backup pitchers and substitute resources. Fortunately, Jeong Da-hoon pitched scoreless in the eighth and earned the win.
Yuto, who joined Kiwoom this season under the Asia quota alongside Won Jong-hyun, has effectively fulfilled his role as part of the team's 'double stopper' system to lock down the back end of games. With 42 appearances, 5 wins, 4 losses, 12 saves, 10 holds, and an ERA of 3.03 this season, Yuto has delivered outstanding results. He has dominated on the mound with a powerful fastball in the mid-150 km/h range and a sharp forkball, handling both hold and save situations without distinction. In the game against Samsung on the 22nd, he recorded two scoreless innings with four strikeouts to secure a hold, contributing to what is believed to be a historic achievement: becoming the first foreign pitcher in 42 years of KBO League history to record at least 10 saves and 10 holds in a single season.
Recently, Kiwoom has faced a string of injuries among its foreign players, including ace Raul Alcantara's elbow injury and outfielder Keiston Hirura's shoulder injury. Fortunately, it is reported that the injuries to the first two players are not severe enough to require surgery. However, in a thin roster where foreign players are expected to anchor the team, these consecutive health issues pose a major trial for Kiwoom as it aims for a second-half comeback.
Although Kiwoom secured a precious victory thanks to An Chi-hong's home run, the departure of its 'ace card' Yuto has triggered an emergency in the team's pitching management. It is no exaggeration to say that Kiwoom's fate in the second half hinges on the results of Yuto's shoulder examination.
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*This content was translated by AI.
