'What is happening?' KT in crisis! Choe Won-jun, who hit 208 hits, and defensive wizard Heo Kyung-min, batting .300, both out simultaneously; what will happen to the 13.8 billion won FA trio? [KS3 On-site]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The veteran trio signed to win the Korea Series is suffering from injuries one after another. While Kim Hyun-soo (38), who already suffered a finger injury, is showing heroic effort, Choe Won-jun (29), who hit 208 hits in the regular season, and starting third baseman Heo Kyung-min (36) have both been left out of the starting lineup. KT Wiz is in an emergency state ahead of a crucial game with the series tied at one win apiece.

KT will play the Samsung Lions on the 6th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park for Game 3 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven).

The atmosphere is not very good. KT failed to hold an 8-0 lead in Game 1 on the 3rd, resulting in a narrow 8-7 victory. In Game 2 on the 4th, they missed a walk-off opportunity in the bottom of the ninth inning of extra innings while tied 1-1, and conceded the winning run due to an infield throwing error in the top of the 12th, losing 2-3. They headed to the road with only one win and one loss at home.

To make matters worse, the number of injured players has increased. KT manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) excluded Choe Won-jun and Heo Kyung-min from the starting lineup for Game 3. Choe Won-jun felt discomfort in his left thumb after colliding with the right field fence during defense in Game 2. At the time, he collided with the fence while trying to catch a ball hit by Lewin Diaz, ultimately dropping it and allowing a triple.

Manager Lee stated, "(Choe) Won-jun's hand swelled up a bit from hitting the fence," adding, "He says he can play, but I don't think he will be able to handle defense." He continued, "It could swell more as the game progresses. For now, we are watching the situation and thinking about using him once as a pinch hitter when it is important."

Choe Won-jun's absence is painful. He transferred from the NC Dinos to KT for four years and 4.8 billion won ahead of this season, and performed brilliantly in 140 regular season games with a .356 batting average (208 hits in 585 at-bats), nine home runs, 74 RBIs, 125 runs scored, 28 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.919. In September and October, he ranked first in four batting categories in the league with a .413 batting average. In the Korea Series as well, he recorded a hit and a stolen base from his first at-bat in Game 1, and drove in three hits, including a double, in Game 2.

Third-base defensive wizard Heo Kyung-min is in the same boat. According to the KT organization, symptoms of a pinched nerve appeared in his left chest area, making it difficult for him to start. Heo Kyung-min, who transferred from the Doosan Bears for four years and 4 billion won ahead of the 2025 season, performed in 109 games this year with a .330 batting average (116 hits in 352 at-bats), four home runs, 44 RBIs, 64 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.817. In Game 2, he hit a tying RBI single in the bottom of the fourth inning and hit a double with one out in the bottom of the ninth to create a walk-off opportunity.

In particular, Heo Kyung-min is a veteran who also handles stable third-base defense. An absence is inevitable not only in batting but also in infield defense. The problem is not just these two players. Kim Hyun-soo, the MVP of last year's Korea Series, also injured his left finger during defense in Game 1. Nevertheless, he started Game 2 and continued his heroic effort despite the injury, including drawing a bases-loaded walk to tie the game in the bottom of the 10th inning of extra innings.

Kim Hyun-soo transferred from the LG Twins for three years and 5 billion won ahead of this season. The total FA contract value for Kim Hyun-soo, Heo Kyung-min, and Choe Won-jun, whom KT signed in the past two years, reaches 13.8 billion won. However, two of them will not be able to start in Game 3 of the Korea Series. In addition, starting second baseman Kim Sang-soo (36) is also suffering from left heel pain. He was completely excluded from the lineup in Game 2, but fortunately, he will return as the sixth hitter and second baseman in Game 3.

Ultimately, KT arranged its batting order as Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder) - Ahn Hyun-min (right fielder) - Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman) - Sam Hilliard (center fielder) - Jang Seong-woo (designated hitter) - Kim Sang-soo (second baseman) - Ryu Hyeon-in (third baseman) - Jo Dae-hyun (catcher) - Jang Jun-won (shortstop). The starting pitcher is So Hyoung-jun.

In response, Samsung arranged its batting order as Kim Ji-chan (center fielder) - Kim Seong-yoon (right fielder) - Koo Ja-wook (designated hitter) - Choi Hyung-woo (left fielder) - Lewin Diaz (first baseman) - Kim Young-woong (third baseman) - Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop) - Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman) - Kang Min-ho (catcher). The starting pitcher is Ariel Hurdado.

Ryu Hyeon-in takes over third base in place of Heo Kyung-min, and Ahn Hyun-min steps into right field defense due to Choe Won-jun's absence. Jo Dae-hyun will wear the starting catcher's mask instead of regular catcher Han Seung-taek, who handled 21 innings full-time in Games 1 and 2, marking a change behind the plate as well.

KT had already revealed bullpen management issues and defensive instability in Games 1 and 2. This time, consecutive injuries to trusted key hitters have been added. They face the difficult task of filling the voids left by the players who led them to the regular season championship from their first road trip while also curbing Samsung's momentum. On the other hand, Samsung maintained its top-of-the-order lineup consisting of Kim Ji-chan - Kim Seong-yoon - Koo Ja-wook - Choi Hyung-woo - Lewin Diaz. Leading with starter Ariel Hurdado, they aim for their first lead in the series at home.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original