Diaz's grand slam leads to August ERA of 21.60; 39-year-old veteran reliever finally removed! Lim Jin-mok called up to replace Won Jong-hyun

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes veteran reliever Won Jong-hyun (39) has finally been removed from the first division roster. Despite the coaching staff's consideration to boost his performance in a comfortable situation while accompanying the first division team, he could not overcome severe inconsistency.

On the 28th, Kiwoom excluded pitcher Won Jong-hyun from the first division roster ahead of the Doosan Bears game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul Songpa-gu. Instead, right-handed pitcher Lim Jin-mok (20) was called up. This marks Lim's first registration this season.

Originally, Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin (53) had not lost faith in the veteran. Ahead of the Samsung Lions game at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 26th, Manager Seol stated, "I have no plans to remove him from the first division yet," and added, "He will be taken out of the winning lineup and sent in during comfortable situations with a score difference in the 6th or 7th inning to regain his form," revealing plans for his continued presence in the first division and a change in role.

However, no opportunity for recovery materialized. After a day of rest, Won Jong-hyun appeared in the Gocheok Samsung Lions game on the 27th, allowing a painful grand slam home run to Lewin Diaz, among other issues. He gave up three hits (one home run), one walk, and four earned runs over one inning, suffering a significant collapse.

The depth of his slump since August was too great. Following early exits in the 23rd KIA Tigers game (⅓ inning, two earned runs) and the 25th Samsung Lions game (⅓ inning, two earned runs), he also surrendered a grand slam home run, causing Won Jong-hyun's monthly ERA for August to skyrocket to 21.60. His batting average against also surged sharply, clearly indicating declines in both pitching velocity and physical condition. During that period, his batting average against reached an alarming 0.500.

Ultimately, the coaching staff determined that it was better for Won Jong-hyun to undergo comprehensive reorganization in the Futures League (second division) rather than continue adjusting within the first division, leading to the decision to remove him from the roster. With Won Jong-hyun, who had shared late-inning duties with Japanese pitcher Kanakubo Yuto until mid-season, departing, Kiwoom's bullpen restructuring has become inevitable. Kiwoom is expected to rely on Jo Young-geon and Yoon Seok-won as the primary relievers ahead of Yuto.

Meanwhile, Kiwoom set its starting lineup against Doosan starter Park Shin-ji as follows: Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Choi Jae-hyun (center fielder), Davison (first baseman), Hiyura (left fielder), Kim Woong-bin (third baseman), Ahn Chi-hong (designated hitter), Kim Keon-hee (catcher), Won Seong-jun (right fielder), and Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop). The starting pitcher is An Woo-jin.

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*This content was translated by AI.