'SSG Replacement Foreign Investor' Mardis to Leave After 16th Game vs. LG; Arendia Returns to First Roster on 21st, Kim Sung-wook Scheduled for Priority Registration

*This content was translated by AI.

SSG Landers 'replacement foreign hitter' Bly Mardis (30) will leave the Korean stage after the game on the 16th. With Guillermo Arendia, who had been sidelined due to injury, set to return to the first roster, a natural baton pass is taking place.

SSG manager Lee Sung-yong (55) met with reporters ahead of the away game against LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on the 16th and provided detailed explanations regarding the foreign player replacement and roster changes.

Manager Lee stated, "Mardis's game today is his last. He has said his goodbyes and will return to the United States after playing through today." Regarding Arendia, who was sidelined due to a shoulder injury, he added, "He is scheduled to be registered on the first roster next Friday (21st). He is currently improving his game feel in the Futures League, and his physical condition has fully recovered. There should be no problem with his return next Friday." As of the 16th game, Mardis has recorded a .150 batting average (9 hits in 60 at-bats), three home runs, and eight RBIs across 16 games.

Until Mardis departs and Arendia returns, outfielder Kim Sung-wook (33), who has maintained a strong hitting pace in the Futures League, will be called up first to fill the open spot on the first roster. Manager Lee explained, "Sung-wook, who has built good physical condition and possesses the best batting balance, is scheduled to join the first roster starting Tuesday."

SSG also made changes to its pitcher roster today. Thomas Hatch (32), originally scheduled to start, will be removed from the roster after reporting physical discomfort. Manager Lee said, "Hatch participated in catch practice but reported feeling unwell again, so he has been taken off the roster. Min-joon Choi will take his place. It is difficult to determine at this point when Hatch can throw again; we need to wait for the examination results." He expressed regret over the situation.

Today, SSG lined up against LG starter Carlos Carasco with the following batting order: Jun-jae Jung (second baseman), Ji-hoon Choi (center fielder), Sung-han Park (shortstop), Jae-hwan Kim (designated hitter), Jeon-san Jeon (first baseman), Yu-seom Han (right fielder), Mardis (left fielder), Hyung-woo Jo (catcher), and Dae-in Hong (third baseman). Avila will take the mound as the starting pitcher.

Regarding the lineup, Manager Lee stated, "Today's batting order was primarily set by the hitting coach. Ji-hoon Choi has been performing well at the bottom of the order, so we reflected the opinion to move him up to the second spot and compete more aggressively." He added, "We hope players will not swing just to make hits but will instead take their natural swings actively. They should focus on making contact only after two strikes; until then, they must swing boldly."

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*This content was translated by AI.