'Pre-FA' Hong Chang-gi is really struggling; season's first demotion to the minors due to lower back muscle pain! '1 1/3 innings, 5 earned runs' Park Shin-ji also sent to the minors

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins' undisputed leadoff hitter Hong Chang-gi (33) has been sidelined due to lower back pain. This painful setback comes at a critical juncture as he prepares to earn his first-ever free agent (FA) status after this season. It marks his first demotion from the first-division roster this season.

The KBO (Korea Baseball Organization) publicly disclosed the registration and demotion status of first-division rosters via its official website on the 21st, a day without games. On that day, six players were removed from their respective rosters: LG's Hong Chang-gi, Doosan Bears' Park Shin-ji and Kim Dong-ju, KT Wiz's Bae Jeong-dae, Lotte Giants' Lee Seo-jun and Jo Min-young. Players to fill these vacancies are expected to be registered ahead of games on the 22nd.

The most notable name is undoubtedly Hong Chang-gi. This season, he has played in 120 games with a batting average of .248 (99 hits in 399 at-bats), zero home runs, 33 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.679, posting somewhat underwhelming statistics. Recently, persistent lower back muscle pain led to his first-ever demotion from the first-division roster this season for rest and treatment purposes. According to LG's club management, he requires rehabilitation for his lower back pain. He has only sat on the bench since his last appearance against KT on the 18th.

Demotions of immediate first-division pitchers also followed on the mound. Doosan right-hander Park Shin-ji started against Suwon KT Wiz the previous day (20th), allowing seven hits (one home run) over 1 1/3 innings, striking out one batter while surrendering five earned runs (four unearned). After this poor performance, he was ordered to return to the minors for reconditioning. Doosan also removed right-handed reliever Kim Dong-ju from the first-division roster alongside Park Shin-ji as part of a pitching staff overhaul. Kim Dong-ju also struggled in his appearance against KT on the 20th, allowing three hits (one home run) over 1 2/3 innings with two walks and two earned runs.

Additionally, regular outfielder Bae Jeong-dae of KT Wiz and Lotte infielder Lee Seo-jun, along with outfielder Jo Min-young, were notified of their demotion to the minors. Notably, Bae Jeong-dae has managed only a .194 batting average (21 hits in 108 at-bats) and 11 RBIs in 91 games this season. He has primarily served as a pinch-runner rather than a starter. In particular, he failed to record a single hit in his last ten games.

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*This content was translated by AI.