Despite not being hit by a foul ball, 'Why exactly?' NC Kim Hwi-jip replaced with a knife-like decision... "Symptoms of left thigh muscle cramp... No hospital examination"

*This content was translated by AI.

NC Dinos' Kim Hwi-jip (26) drew attention after being replaced as if by a knife despite not being hit by his own foul ball.

On the 11th, during the bottom of the 4th inning at Changwon NC Park in a regular-season home game against KT Wiz in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League, Kim Hwi-jip was replaced by Seo Ho-cheol.

After letting go of two pitches from former teammate Logan Allen, Kim Hwi-jip watched two more balls to gain a favorable 3B1S count. However, problems arose when he swung hard at a fast pitch clocked at 150 km/h.

The ball hit by Kim Hwi-jip flew backward and became a foul ball; it did not strike his body. Nevertheless, Kim complained of pain in his left leg, stepped out of the batter's box, and spoke with trainers. After their discussion, NC trainers signaled for a substitution on the bench, and Kim ultimately left the field.

An NC team official stated, "Kim Hwi-jip was substituted during the bottom of the 4th inning due to symptoms of a left thigh muscle cramp for player protection. There are no plans for hospital examination."

It was particularly disappointing given his strong batting form, including recording an RBI hit earlier that day. Starting as the sixth hitter and third baseman, Kim Hwi-jip sent Logan's outside changeup to right field with two outs in the bottom of the 1st inning, driving in one run for an RBI single. This hit gave NC a 3-0 lead.

NC later allowed a solo home run by Kim Hyun-soo in the 4th inning but maintained a 3-1 lead as starting pitcher Riley Thompson held off further scoring over five innings without allowing additional runs.

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*This content was translated by AI.