"Moon Bo-kyung May Not Be Able to Play Defense Even at the Asian Games": A Major Blow for Korean Baseball and LG Twins as National Team's No. 4 Batter Falls Ill... Yeom Kyung-yeop Also Worried [Jamsil On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

This is a major blow for both Korean baseball and the LG Twins. The condition of Moon Bo-kyung (26), the national team's No. 4 batter, is not good due to back pain.

On the 8th, LG revealed its starting lineup for the home game against Kiwoom Heroes at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

That day, LG's lineup consisted of Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Jung-bin (first baseman), Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Gu Bon-hyeok (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), and Park Dong-won (catcher). The starting pitcher was Park Si-won.

Moon Bo-kyung, who recently complained of back pain again, was excluded from the starting lineup for two consecutive games. In March this year, during the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Moon scored 11 RBIs in just the first round, leading the Korean national team to its first quarterfinal appearance in 17 years.

However, he injured his back after colliding with a fence during defensive play in the tournament and was unable to participate in defense for some time after the regular season began. Nevertheless, he maintained good form through April with a batting average of 0.311 (90 at-bats, 28 hits) and was selected as one of three wild card players for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games national team.

Although his hitting performance fluctuated throughout the season, he had been gradually improving with a batting average of 0.333 in 17 games in August. However, his back pain recurred. Before the game, LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) expressed regret, saying, "He might only be able to pinch-hit today. Even though he can hit well, it hurts."

The problem is that a return to defense cannot be guaranteed. Moon Bo-kyung has shown excellent performance not only in hitting but also at third base, and was expected to play third base at the Asian Games. With national team players scheduled to report on the 14th following the conclusion of the game, Moon decided for now not to participate in defense with LG.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop expressed concern, stating, "He probably won't be able to play defense until before the Asian Games. Even at the Asian Games, I don't think it will be easy."

For now, Lee Young-bin and Son Yong-jun will take over third base while Moon Bo-kyung is out. Moon Jung-bin will continue to alternate first base with Austin Dean as he has been doing.

There is also welcome news. The return of relievers Kim Kang-ryul (38), Jang Hyun-sik (31), and Ham Deok-joo (31) is imminent. All three appeared in separate Futures League games against the SSG Landers 2nd Division team on the 6th at Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, participating in their first real-game action in a long time.

Jang Hyun-sik, who had been sidelined in July due to a strain of the right elbow flexor muscles while working in the starting rotation, pitched a perfect inning. Kim Kang-ryul, who had been troubled by lingering injuries, followed with an inning allowing two hits, striking out one, and giving up one run. On-air broadcast data showed his velocity reaching up to 151 km/h, indicating good physical condition. Ham Deok-joo, who appeared in the final inning, also checked his condition by pitching a scoreless inning with one hit allowed, one walk, and one strikeout.

Manager Yeom stated, "We need to watch them a bit longer. However, Kim Kang-ryul is likely to return the soonest. Jang Hyun-sik could be ready after throwing around 50 pitches. We might use him in a way where we start with Kim Yoon-sik and give him a bullpen day."

Go Woo-seok (28), who had struggled with jet lag, should also be able to return to normal participation starting this week.

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

*This content was translated by AI.