'Holding his waist and voluntarily removed from the game' Park Jun-young avoids worst-case scenario... Manager Daejeon "He is resting in Daejeon, will check condition upon return" [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The worst-case scenario was averted. While Wang Yencheng is absent from the lineup, Park Jun-young (23, No. 96), who has been taking on the starting rotation spot, complained of back pain but is resting and being monitored for his condition.

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) met with reporters ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against LG Twins to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 19th, stating, "(The big) Park Jun-young is resting a bit in Daejeon," and added, "He will return after the game on the 20th, and his condition should become clear then."

On the 18th, Park Jun-young started against Samsung Lions at home in Daejeon, throwing 49 pitches over 2⅓ innings, recording one hit allowed, three walks/strikeouts combined, one strikeout, and one earned run.

In the top of the first inning with two outs, Park Jun-young allowed a walk and a hit but retired Choi Hyung-woo on a center field fly ball to finish the inning. He gave up another walk in the second but managed to close out the frame without allowing any runs.

An unexpected situation arose in the third inning. After retiring Kim Sung-yoon on a groundout to the third baseman, Park Jun-young threw three balls to batter Park Seung-kyu before complaining of back pain. The coaching staff eventually came onto the mound, and he was replaced by Ju Hyun-sang without finishing his at-bat against Park Seung-kyu.

Ju Hyun-sang ultimately allowed a walk but was credited as a inherited runner for Park Jun-young. He then gave up a two-run double to Koo Ja-wook, resulting in one earned run charged to Park Jun-young. Hanwha failed to turn the momentum afterward, and Park Jun-young took the loss.

More concerning than anything else is his physical condition. Hanwha's starting rotation had been maintained by Ryu Hyun-jin, Owen White, Wang Yencheng, Hwang Jun-seo, and Park Jun-young. Park's September ERA stands at 5.40, ranking ninth in the league, and now an additional absence has occurred. This is because Wang Yencheng, who has most consistently held his spot in the rotation, is absent to participate in the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.

If Park Jun-young also becomes unavailable, the gap will widen further. Although there is a rest day scheduled for the 24th, the team faces growing concerns regarding the management of its starting rotation.

Fortunately, he is resting without undergoing any separate medical examination. This suggests that his condition is not considered serious.

On this day, Hanwha set its starting lineup with Sim Woo-jun (shortstop), Choi In-ho (center fielder), Han Ji-yoon (left fielder), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Heo In-seo (catcher), Kim Tae-yeon (first baseman), Park Jung-hyun (third baseman), Yoo Min (right fielder), and Jeong Eun-won (second baseman). Owen White will start the game. The lineup was composed entirely of domestic players without Yonatan Peraza.

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*This content was translated by AI.