"I want to finish together" Desperate Park Geon-woo, registers 'suddenly 7 days out' while injured... plans to appear as DH and pinch hitter [Jamsil on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I want to finish the season together until the very end."

Although still carrying an injury, Park Geon-woo (36, NC Dinos) burned with the will to play. He could not refuse the earnest plea from Manager Lee Ho-jun (50).

Manager Lee Ho-jun revealed to reporters ahead of the away game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 6th, "Park Geon-woo will be registered tomorrow."

Park Geon-woo was substituted after feeling discomfort in his left adductor muscle while sprinting all-out following a hit during last month's game against the Daegu Samsung Lions on the 22nd. A detailed examination resulted in a diagnosis of Grade 1 muscle damage.

It was not a severe injury, and it appeared to require about two weeks for recovery. It has been exactly two weeks since then, but his physical condition is still not fully recovered. He is unable to sprint all-out. Moreover, NC's postseason run has already ended. Nevertheless, the manager decided to call Park Geon-woo up.

The manager conveyed, "His own will is very strong. He said he wants to finish (the season) with the team. I am so sorry about the injury, but he says there is no problem hitting or doing what needs to be done right now, and that he is fully capable of being a pinch hitter."

Manager Lee Ho-jun tried to dissuade him. This is because his physical condition is only at about 50%. However, Park Geon-woo's will was strong. "I am the older brother and senior player, but I came directly to talk to him saying I want to finish with the team and enter next season," he explained. "He said he cannot start, but he is fully capable of being a pinch hitter or designated hitter. So I told him, 'Let's do it that way.'"

Because all-out sprinting is impossible, defensive appearances are difficult. Base running is also not easy. However, he himself is confident that he can appear as a designated hitter. The manager conveyed, "In his own words, and from the on-site assessment, it seems he will be fine up to being a designated hitter. He said that even if he cannot run at full power, he should be able to run to some extent."

Now only the last three games remain. The final home game is also waiting at Changwon NC Park on the 9th. Park Geon-woo posted satisfactory results this season with a .302 batting average, 20 home runs, 78 RBIs, and 56 runs scored in 126 games, along with an on-base percentage of .373, slugging percentage of .490, and OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .863. Nevertheless, he is showing a leading-by-example attitude by wanting to stay together with the team until the very end.

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*This content was translated by AI.