'Even Wang Yencheng is unavailable,' Hanwha in a bind as 600 million won foreign investor 'shocked' by 1-inning, 7-run outing... ERA skyrockets from 9.00 to 13.50 [Daejeon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The situation is becoming increasingly dire. With Asian quota player Wang Yencheng (25) unavailable for the time being, Hanwha Eagles' foreign pitcher Bruce Zimmermann (31) has also delivered a shocking performance that left fans disappointed.

On the 21st, Zimmermann started against LG Twins in a home game at Daejeon Hanwha Life Park as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season. He was pulled off the mound after just one-third of an inning, having allowed six hits, two walks, and seven earned runs while recording one strikeout.

Hanwha's lineup for the day featured Kim Tae-yeon (right fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (center fielder), Han Ji-yoon (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Noh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Heo In-seo (catcher), Hwang Young-mok (second baseman), and Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). Bruce Zimmermann was the starting pitcher.

LG countered with Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Moon Jung-bin (first baseman), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Koo Bon-hyuk (shortstop), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Hong Chang-gi (right fielder). Song Seung-gi was the starting pitcher.

Things went wrong from the start. Zimmermann walked leadoff batter Shin Min-jae after a full count, then allowed a hit to Park Hae-min on a bunt attempt at first base. He appeared to escape the danger by walking Austin Dean and striking out Moon Jung-bin on three pitches.

However, Song Chan-ui's swing caught Zimmermann's first-pitch changeup, sending the ball through the gap between left and center field for an extra-base hit, giving LG a 2-0 lead. Following that, Moon Bo-kyung delivered a two-run single to right-center, and Koo Bon-hyuk added another two-run single to right-center, extending the score to 4-0.

In just the first inning, Zimmermann was overwhelmed. Lee Ju-heon hit a large two-run double off the upper part of the left-field wall, and Hong Chang-gi followed with a one-run single to right field, scoring the remaining runner. Zimmermann was ultimately replaced by Kwon Min-kyu, who induced a 5-6-3 double play from Shin Min-jae to end the long first inning.

It was a disappointing performance. Zimmermann was signed last month on the 20th as a replacement for Wilkel Hernandez at a total cost of $440,000 (approximately 600 million won). However, since his debut, he has continued to allow runs, resulting in a season record of two losses in three games with an ERA of 9.00.

Even when facing LG again after about three weeks — a team that had previously been favorable to him — Zimmermann failed to deliver a good performance. Unable to fulfill even the minimum innings expected of a starting pitcher, his ERA surged dramatically to 13.50.

The news of Wang Yencheng's hospitalization just before the game made Zimmermann's slump even more regrettable. On the morning of the game, Wang Yencheng went to the hospital due to cold-like symptoms and was diagnosed with pneumonia. A Hanwha Club official stated, "Wang Yencheng, hospitalized following a pneumonia diagnosis, is expected to be discharged once his condition improves. He is anticipated to return after skipping one turn in the starting rotation."

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*This content was translated by AI.