'KIA Championship Bullpen' Choi Jimin Fails to Survive Expanded Roster → Removed from 1-Man Roster... 'Baseball-Free Monday': 8 Players Sent to 2nd Division

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite the expanded roster being implemented ahead of schedule, Choi Jimin (23), who led the KIA Tigers to a championship, lost his spot. On Monday, when no games were played, eight players were removed from the 1st Division roster.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) released the status of 1st Division roster removals on August 31. Pitcher Choi Jimin and outfielder Lee Chang-jin of KIA, infielder Oh Sun-woo, Kiwoom Heroes infielder Choi Joo-hwan and outfielder Won Seong-jun, catcher Park Sung-bin, Hanwha Eagles outfielder Lee Won-seok, and SSG Landers pitcher Lee Jun-gi were removed from the 1st Division roster.

Choi Jimin's removal has drawn attention. Drafted in the second round of the first round (5th overall) in the 2022 Rookie Draft, he donned the KIA uniform and became a key bullpen pitcher for KIA the following year, leading KIA to their 12th championship in 2024.

However, last season exposed issues with his control, resulting in a disappointing performance, and this season he has allowed many extra-base hits, finishing with 1 win, 2 holds, and an ERA of 7.50 across 42 games.

Choi Jimin, who had been sent to the 2nd Division twice before, rejoined the 1st Division on July 24 but collapsed in 7 games over 5 innings, allowing 10 runs (9 earned). In particular, during last month's game against Lotte, he allowed 5 hits (including 1 home run) and 5 runs over ⅔ innings before being notified of his third trip to the 2nd Division for the season just ahead of September.

Oh Sun-woo and Lee Chang-jin also headed to the 2nd Division. Oh Sun-woo, who has hit .214 in 30 games this season, has been even more struggling recently with a .125 average over his last 10 games. Lee Chang-jin also managed no hits in 3 games this season and, after spending six days on the roster following his call-up, was sent back to the 2nd Division.

With 29 regular-season games remaining, KIA sits in third place, trailing first-place Samsung Lions by 5.5 games and second-place KT Wiz by 5 games. There is no gap with fourth-place LG Twins, and they are only two games ahead of fifth-place Doosan Bears, leaving them unable to relax. With the Asian Games variable also in play, any scenario remains possible. They are preparing to welcome September with significant roster changes.

Kiwoom also sent three players to the 2nd Division. Although a fourth consecutive last-place finish is highly likely, they plan to remove struggling players from the 1st Division and give new players opportunities in order to revitalize the atmosphere.

Choi Joo-hwan has hit .229 with 3 home runs and 30 RBIs in 93 games this season, with an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.640. In his last 10 games, his average plummeted to as low as .083. Won Seong-jun and Park Sung-bin also failed to escape a batting average in the one-digit range and ultimately packed their bags from the 1st Division.

Hanwha sent outfielder Lee Won-seok to the 2nd Division. He recorded his highest batting average since his debut at .271 in 90 games this season, but recently slowed down with a .231 average over his last 10 games. With Han Ji-yoon and Kim Tae-yeon rapidly growing and securing opportunities in the outfield, Lee Won-seok vacated his spot in the 1st Division.

SSG registered pitcher Lee Jun-gi on the 1st Division roster when the expanded roster was implemented last month (25th), but he packed his bags without appearing in a single game. He was originally scheduled to start, but rain cancellations disrupted the schedule, sending him back to the 2nd Division.

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*This content was translated by AI.