'Layes' line drive strikes face: NC's Lim Ji-min suffers 'crushed jawbone', undergoes surgery; return date uncertain

*This content was translated by AI.

It was truly a harrowing moment. Lim Ji-min (23), the right-handed pitcher for NC Dinos who had been pitching hard on the mound to protect his team's lead, suffered a severe injury with a crushed jawbone and facial laceration after being struck by a powerful hit to the face, and is now set for surgery.

On the afternoon of the 15th, NC Dinos officially announced: "Lim Ji-min was diagnosed with a crushed lower jawbone and an oral laceration following detailed hospital examinations. The laceration inside his mouth has been sutured in the first procedure, and surgery is scheduled for early next week to proceed with additional treatment and recovery. The specific return date remains uncertain."

The incident occurred during the Lotte Giants game held at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium on the 14th. Lim Ji-min, who had entered as a relief pitcher in the bottom of the 8th inning with two outs and runners on second base to extinguish the threat, also took the mound in the bottom of the 9th when his team led 9-6.

Lim Ji-min retired Yoo Gang-nam with three pitches and struck out Hwang Sung-bin on a swing-and-miss, quickly securing two outs. Following this, he allowed a ground-rule double and an error to Na Seung-yeop, putting the bases loaded with two outs. He then continued his at-bat against the next batter, Victor Layes.

The tragedy unfolded on the sixth pitch. After Layes persistently fouled off pitches, he powerfully connected with Lim Ji-min's sixth pitch inside, sending the ball directly toward Lim Ji-min's face. Struck in the face by the ball and stumbling, Layes reached first base (recorded as an infield hit).

Lim Ji-min, hit by the ball, collapsed onto the ground immediately. Even while disoriented, he tried to track the ball with his eyes, but the sight of blood pouring from his mouth was captured on broadcast screens, sending Sajik Stadium into shock. Layes, who had hit the ball, stood at first base without removing his helmet, staring in stunned silence at Lim Ji-min's condition.

During this process, confusion briefly arose regarding the entry of emergency vehicles and medical personnel because the outfield fence could not be opened from inside the stadium due to player safety regulations, but the ambulance eventually reached near the mound. Lim Ji-min managed to get up on his own, walked to the ambulance, and was urgently transported to a nearby hospital.

Amid this sudden injury setback, right-handed pitcher Kim Tae-hoon, who took over the mound, allowed consecutive RBI hits to Han Dong-hee and Ko Seung-min, narrowing the score to 9-8. However, he secured the team's victory by retiring the final batter, Yoon Dong-hee, on a groundout to the third baseman.

Lim Ji-min, who had entered in the bottom of the 8th with two outs and prevented any runs from scoring, was officially named the winning pitcher of the day, while Kim Tae-hoon recorded his first save of the season. Lim Ji-min has posted 49 games, 4 wins, 5 losses, 6 saves, 9 holds, and an ERA of 5.40 this season. However, the victory was short-lived; with Lim Ji-min set to undergo surgery for a severe crushed jawbone injury, NC Dinos faces significant challenges in managing their pitching staff. The club has stated it will prioritize the player's safety and recovery, providing support for treatment and rehabilitation.

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*This content was translated by AI.