"Lee Ju-heon to serve as dedicated foreign investor" LG backup catcher expected to start up to three times a week — 'Why exactly?' [Jamsil Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins catcher prospect Lee Ju-heon (23) is expected to see increased playing opportunities going forward.

Yeom Kyung-yeop, LG manager, announced on the 25th ahead of the team's home game against the NC Dinos at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season: "From now on, Tolhurst and KARA will likely be paired with Lee Ju-heon. The remaining pitchers requiring specific pitch combinations will be handled by Park Dong-won."

On this day, LG lined up its batting order as follows: Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (first baseman), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Moon Jung-bin (designated hitter), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Lee Ju-heon (catcher), and Hong Chang-gi (right fielder). The starting pitcher was Anders Tolhurst.

It was notable that backup catcher Lee Ju-heon started in three consecutive games. Lee hit .225 with 23 hits in 102 at-bats, four home runs, 17 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.661 across 56 games this season — a subpar performance. Nevertheless, Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop categorized Lee as a catcher to develop. This came at a time when Park Dong-won (36) was also in poor physical condition.

Manager Yeom stated: "Park Dong-won is showing signs of mild back pain and has been hit by pitches near his collarbone, so he needs time for recovery." He added: "Foreign pitchers tend to throw the pitches they prefer, which works well. Song Seung-gi also hasn't meshed well with Lee Ju-heon this year, so he will continue working with Dong-won."

As a result, Lee Ju-heon is expected to start up to three times per week. With Tolhurst taking the mound on this day, an additional Sunday appearance also became likely. Originally projected as the starter, Im Chan-kyu was moved back for conditioning purposes.

Meanwhile, LG activated left-handed pitcher Kim Yoon-sik, right-handed pitcher Yang Woo-jin, outfielder Ham Chang-geon, and infielder Kang Min-gyun under the expanded roster rules. Jang Hyun-sik, who left last month due to a strain of the flexor muscles in his right elbow, is not yet ready. Kim Jin-seong, sidelined since the 19th following minor damage to the subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder, will require even more time.

In response, Manager Yeom said: "Jang Hyun-sik has already started throwing again. Kim Jin-seong will need a bit longer but should be back by early October. Hyun-sik could return within about two weeks at the earliest."

He continued with a smile: "Yang Woo-jin and other players are in the process of gaining experience. Kim Yoon-sik has been given ample time to mentally prepare, so he will be used immediately upon his return. We hope he can contribute strength when he comes back."

On this day, LG's starting pitcher was Tolhurst, who has recorded 22 games, 11 wins, 9 losses, an ERA of 4.49, 122⅓ innings pitched, and 102 strikeouts this season. Against NC, he posted a strong record: two games, one win, no losses, an ERA of 2.92, 12⅓ innings, and four earned runs allowed.

The opposing pitcher is Curtis Taylor (31). Taylor has logged 21 games with seven wins, six losses, an ERA of 4.84, 113⅓ innings pitched, and 85 strikeouts. Against LG, however, he struggled: two games, one win, no losses, and an ERA of 6.97.

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*This content was translated by AI.