'Oops' Samsung, with striker Koo Ja-wook sidelined due to gallbladder symptoms, also replaces Lee Jae-hyun in the game: "Right neck muscle stiffness → for player protection"

*This content was translated by AI.

Samsung Lions received another injury warning. With team star hitter Koo Ja-wook (33) removed from the starting lineup on the 12th due to gallbladder symptoms, starting shortstop Lee Jae-hyun (23) also left the field mid-game due to abnormal physical condition.

Lee Jae-hyun started as the second batter and shortstop in the home game against LG Twins held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 12th but was substituted for infielder Yang Woo-hyun at the start of the top of the fourth inning.

His condition did not appear to be fully sound from the early stages of the game. In the defensive play in the top of the first inning, he committed a fielding error while handling LG's Shin Min-jae's hit ball. Fortunately, he prevented follow-up hits and avoided conceding a run, but his condition did not look good. At the plate, he went up twice in the first and third innings, going 0-for-2 with no hits before returning to the dugout. In particular, after completing his second at-bat in the bottom of the third inning, Lee Jae-hyun was seen touching his neck area and quickly heading to the locker room with a trainer, an image captured during the broadcast.

A Samsung club official explained, "Lee Jae-hyun experienced muscle stiffness on the right side of his neck, so he was substituted for player protection." It appears he avoided a serious injury requiring hospital examination, but the sudden physical abnormality is a worrying situation.

In particular, Lee Jae-hyun has been selected for the final roster of the Korea national baseball team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games opening on the 19th and is preparing for team assembly on the 14th. Not only Samsung but also the national team must keep a close watch on the condition management of its key infielder.

With Koo Ja-wook's injury already weakening the offensive power, Samsung would suffer a fatal blow if Lee Jae-hyun, a core player on both offense and defense, were to be sidelined for an extended period. It remains to be seen whether Lee Jae-hyun can quickly recover his condition and join So Sok-tim-gwa (CEO) team activities without any disruption.

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

*This content was translated by AI.