'Irreplaceable' Choi Jung lost, SSG startled as Kim Jae-hwan collapses: "We were very worried, but he's fine." 4th DH placed in the starting lineup [Incheon field report]

*This content was translated by AI.

With strong performances from starting pitchers continuing, SSG Landers achieved their first four-game winning streak in three months. Even amidst this welcome victory, there was a moment that sent chills down everyone's spines. Veteran Kim Jae-hwan (38) suddenly collapsed during a base-running play.

On the 25th, at the NC Dinos vs. SSG Landers home game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League held at Incheon SSG Landers Field, Kim Jae-hwan reached base with a hit in the bottom of the third inning but was retired on a double play when Han Yu-seom's grounder to the first baseman forced him out.

Han Yu-seom's hit ball flew quickly toward the first baseman. As Kim Jae-hwan attempted to run toward second base, he lost his balance while trying to return to first base and collapsed. He remained on the ground for some time, creating a heart-stopping moment for SSG, which already had many injured players.

Fortunately, he got up on his own, walked back to the dugout, and continued playing until the end of the game. In the fifth inning, he even recorded a multi-hit performance.

Ahead of the NC game on the 26th, manager Lee Sung-yong said, "We were extremely worried. After checking with him, he said he was fine and could play. Still, because he had collapsed, I asked three times, 'Are you sure? Are you okay?' and he replied, 'Yes, I'm fine.' He said it wasn't a serious injury and that he could continue playing. He seemed surprised himself but insisted he was okay, and the training staff also checked on him."

With the season just beginning, SSG lost starting pitcher Kim Kwang-hyun, and Go Myeong-jun also suffered an injury. Their ace starter Mitch White departed after his recovery was delayed, and Choi Jung, who had been suffering from unexplained pain, ultimately ended up on the operating table. For manager Lee Sung-yong, even minor incidents that raise injury concerns are enough to cause alarm.

SSG, currently riding a four-game winning streak, set their starting lineup for the day as follows: Jun Jun-jae (second baseman), Park Sung-han (shortstop), Bryce Mardis (left fielder), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Jeon Ui-san (first baseman), Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder), Han Yu-seom (right fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), and An Sang-hyun (third baseman). They will face opposing ace Riley Thompson. SSG will start pitcher Shota Takeda.

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*This content was translated by AI.