"Has been on standby since yesterday (the 28th)" Kiwoom's Japanese closer makes his comeback... When will Hira and Alcantara return? [Jamsil Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Foreign players for the Kiwoom Heroes, who have been sidelined due to injuries, are accelerating their return. Following Japanese Asia Quota player Yuto Kanakubo (27), the timelines for the returns of Keiston Hira (30) and Raul Alcantara (34) are beginning to take shape.

Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin announced ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season away game against LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 29th, "Kanakubo has been on standby since yesterday (the 28th). We intended to bring him in when the score was tied in the eighth inning, but we switched to Kim Sun-ki immediately after they scored. He will be on standby again today."

Kanakubo is considered the most successful case under the Asia Quota system introduced for the first time this year. In 42 games, he recorded 5 wins, 4 losses, 10 holds, and 12 saves with an ERA of 3.03 over 38⅔ innings and 41 strikeouts, solidly protecting Kiwoom's bullpen. On the 22nd against the Samsung Lions at Gocheok Sky Dome, he pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing 1 hit with no walks and 4 strikeouts to earn his 10th hold of the season, setting a KBO record for a foreign player with 10 holds and 10 saves in a single season.

However, after the game against the KIA Tigers in Gwangju on the 24th, he felt pain in his shoulder and has not appeared since. Fortunately, medical examinations revealed only inflammation of the shoulder muscles, allowing him to return starting this series.

The good news does not end there. Hira, who received a diagnosis of minor damage to the right shoulder acromioclavicular ligament on the same day as Kanakubo, is also close to returning. Hira joined the team in May as a replacement for foreign player Trenton Brooks. After adapting to the league, he posted strong numbers in the second half with a .321 batting average (9 hits in 28 at-bats) over 7 games, making his injury particularly disappointing.

Fortunately, it was not a serious injury, and Hira has been traveling with the first-division team for matches in the Seoul metropolitan area even after being removed from the active roster on the 26th. He continued to maintain his form by participating in batting practice with a bat that allows him to hit today as well. Manager Seol Jong-jin responded, "Hira is not yet ready to play. We plan to monitor him through this week."

The final piece of good news is that ace Alcantara's rehabilitation is also proceeding smoothly. Alcantara felt pain in his right elbow during a pitching session against Samsung at Gocheok on the 22nd and was replaced. Manager Seol explained, "Alcantara's condition continues to improve. Since he has already been removed from the roster, we are considering a return around next weekend."

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

*This content was translated by AI.