Park Jun-soon suddenly replaced → 'Ryu Hyun-jin: 10 at-bats, no hits' Yang Seok-hwan excluded from starting lineup; sudden decision raises questions: 'Why?'

*This content was translated by AI.

Despite hitting a home run in the previous game, Yang Seok-hwan (35, Doosan Bears), who had gone 0-for-10 against Hanwha Eagles starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin, was unexpectedly inserted into the starting lineup just before the bottom of the second inning. The player sent to the bench was Park Jun-soon (20), a hope for the Doosan offense. Why did Manager Kim Won-hyeong make such a sudden decision?

On the 8th, Park Jun-soon started at third base and second baseman against Hanwha Eagles in an away game at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark as part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

Doosan, which had been struggling with a severe hitting slump and fell into a five-game losing streak, secured a victory thanks to Yang Seok-hwan's performance, including a home run and four RBIs in the previous game.

However, he was excluded from the starting lineup for this game. Doosan Manager Kim Won-hyeong explained, "He hit well that day," but added, "It wasn't so much an issue with his hitting touch; rather, he was left out of the starting lineup to prepare for Ryu Hyun-jin."

Yang Seok-hwan has played in only 34 games this season due to a severe slump, batting just .204 (22 hits in 108 at-bats). Yet his four-RBI performance, including a two-run home run, against SSG Landers on the 6th made this decision seem somewhat puzzling.

There is a fully understandable reason for it. Although Yang has no record against Ryu Hyun-jin this season, he has faced him 11 times in his career, going 0-for-10 with one walk. The team likely judged that facing the veteran Ryu Hyun-jin offered little chance of success.

Nevertheless, he was suddenly inserted just before the bottom of the second inning. The player replaced was Park Jun-soon, the second baseman who leads the Doosan offense, drawing even more attention. A Doosan official explained, "This substitution was not due to injury."

Clues can be found in the earlier scenes. In the top of the first inning with one out, Park Ji-hoon reached base on a defensive error by the opposing team. Following him, Park Jun-soon came to bat against Ryu Hyun-jin and struck out swinging. While such an outcome was entirely possible, the process was somewhat disappointing. He correctly identified the outside changeup but made three powerless swings from the second pitch onward. All were outside changeups, making the situation even more regrettable.

In the bottom of the first inning, an even more regrettable scene unfolded. With no outs and a runner on first base, Sim Woo-jun attempted to steal second base. The initial call was out, but after video review, it was corrected to safe. Upon confirmation, the timing for the out was perfect, yet Park Jun-soon's tag did not make contact with Sim Woo-jun's body. Fortunately, the inning ended without allowing a run, but scenes were captured in the dugout where Park Jun-soon appeared to be criticized regarding the tagging process.

Ultimately, just before the bottom of the second inning, Park Jun-soon was removed. Not only was his position mismatched, but Yang Seok-hwan moved into the third spot in the batting order and shifted to first base, while Kang Seung-ho, who had been guarding first base, moved to second base.

Yang Seok-hwan went 0-for-2 against Ryu Hyun-jin and was retired again in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly to third base after relief pitchers entered the game. Doosan ultimately lost 1-6.

Doosan's recent situation is not good. With a five-game losing streak, they are being pursued by sixth-place NC Dinos. Although a comeback with a 4.5-game deficit is not easy, key players including first and second starters Kwak Bin and Choi Min-seok, as well as Park Jun-soon, have been called up for the Asian Games, significantly impacting their hitting lineup. They must maximize their lead before these players return.

However, with a recent record of 3 wins and 7 losses in their last 10 games, Manager Kim has been delivering harsh criticism to his players, urging them to remain alert. The series of disappointing plays by Park Jun-soon early in the game may have prompted the manager to take decisive action.

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*This content was translated by AI.