'10G ERA 16.20' Struggles of 39-Year-Old Veteran Bullpen Pitcher, Yet No Removal from First Roster? Kiwoom Manager: "Instead of Minor League, in a More Comfortable Situation..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes' veteran bullpen pitcher Won Jong-hyun (39) has been removed from the save situation due to a severe decline in his pitching velocity. However, Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin (53) directly conveyed plans to keep Won Jong-hyun on the first roster instead of sending him to the minor league for adjustment, aiming for a comeback in a less burdensome situation.

Manager Seol Jong-jin of Kiwoom met with reporters ahead of the match against Samsung Lions at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 26th and announced his future plans regarding Won Jong-hyun's usage. Manager Seol stated, "We are planning to bring Won Jong-hyun in around the sixth or seventh inning," adding, "He will likely be pulled from the save situation. We are considering having him pitch in a more comfortable role closer to the chase situation."

This season, Kiwoom has alternated between using Won Jong-hyun and Japanese pitcher Kanakubo Yuto as their closer. However, Won Jong-hyun's pitching velocity has recently dropped sharply, leading to frequent runs allowed in the later innings of games. His ERA over the last 10 games stands at an alarming 16.20, with a batting average against of 0.469, which is extremely high. In consecutive matches on the 23rd against KIA and the 25th against Samsung, he allowed two runs in just one-third of an inning each time and was pulled early. His ERA for the nine games played in August has surged to 19.06.

Despite the combined pressure of physical fatigue and declining pitching velocity, the coaching staff chose to keep him on the first roster. When asked by StarNews whether there were plans to remove him from the first roster, Manager Seol replied, "We have no intention of removing him from the first roster at this time." He explained, "As part of his adjustment, rather than playing in tight games, we are considering having him pitch in situations with a larger score difference or more comfortable conditions to help him regain his form." He further added, "We will give him rest for a day or two and then decide on his next appearance date after tomorrow (the 27th). For today's game, Won Jong-hyun will rest."

Joo Young-geon and Yoon Seok-won will take over the save situation spot left vacant by Won Jong-hyun. They are expected to stand by in front of Yuto, who is fixed as the closer. Additionally, rookie Kim Yun-ha, currently training in the Futures League, is scheduled to be registered with the first roster on the 27th to bolster the bullpen.

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*This content was translated by AI.