'A Full' 233 Relief Appearances → Finally First Start! '8kg Weight Loss' National Team Bullpen's Radical Transformation

*This content was translated by AI.

While making a total of 233 appearances in the first division, he had never once taken the mound to start a game. Lee Run (22, SSG Landers), a 'national team bullpen pitcher' who always extinguished fires at critical moments or protected the late innings, is finally stepping onto the stage for his debut as a starting pitcher. This is his radical transformation after losing a full 8kg in the minor league while preparing fiercely.

SSG manager Lee Sung-yong met with reporters on the second ahead of the away game against Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, and explained Lee Run's physical condition and specific pitching plan after being designated as the starting pitcher for the third.

Debuting in the first division during the 2023 season and joining the national team preparing for the 2025 World Baseball Classic (WBC) by November 2025, Lee Run has established himself as a top-tier velocity bullpen pitcher in the league. To date, he has handled all 233 first-division games exclusively as a relief pitcher. In particular, he collected a full 33 holds in the previous season, rising to become one of the league's elite bullpen pitchers. Now, in his 234th career game, he will throw the ball for the first time in his life wearing the title of starting pitcher.

This transition to starting is not a temporary deployment as a mere substitute. It was backed by Lee Run's own strong determination and bone-breaking effort. In fact, Lee Run has been somewhat underperforming this season. Currently, with 45 games, 5 wins, 3 losses, 7 holds, and an ERA of 7.08 ahead of his scheduled start on the third, he is not in great shape. After being removed from the first-division roster on August 1, he has been preparing for a transition to starting pitcher. There was also an explanation that this is part of SSG's preparations for the 2027 season, as their chances for the postseason this season have become virtually impossible.

Manager Lee Sung-yong commented on Lee Run's physical condition: "It seems he has lost about 8kg. I asked the training staff to check his weight and body fat percentage for both last season and this season, and before being sent down to the minor league this year, he was in a state of being 4-5kg heavier than in the 205th season." He continued, "I believe that when a player is not doing well, physical reasons are the biggest factor. However, after spending about a month in the minor league, it seems he has returned to the mound having perfectly adjusted his condition back to last year's peak level."

The manager added, "He prepared fiercely together with pitching coach Bae Young-soo in the minor league. He had such a strong desire for the starting role, and when given opportunities and motivation to compete for it, he has thoroughly built up his own body," highly evaluating Lee Run's efforts.

A detailed blueprint for Lee Run's first professional start has also been finalized. As this is his first appearance, his pitch count will be limited to around 90 pitches rather than 100. Regarding Lee Run's pitching plan on the third, the manager stated, "Even if he wavers slightly or gives up runs in the early innings, we intend to give him some time and watch closely. This is not meant to end with just this one appearance; we plan to give him opportunities to appear in about four more games for evaluation." He further added, "If he shows good form, it will lead into the closing camp and next year's spring training, where he will enter a full-fledged competition for the starting rotation," indicating that there is a possibility of his long-term entry into the starting rotation.

SSG, which had struggled with its starting rotation due to the departure of 'left-handed ace' Kim Kwang-hyun this season, has declared a plan to build a '10-starting pitcher depth' that covers not only 6-7 first-division starters for next season but also extends to the Futures League team. In this context, Lee Run's establishment as a starter is a good scenario in many ways. It remains quite curious what new drama the 'national team bullpen' Lee Run, who returned with a fierce spirit after losing 8kg, will write on his first-ever first-division starting mound after 234 games.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.