"If they are physically ready, everyone must play" Good news for KT! Choi Won-jun and Heo Kyung-min return → Ahn Hyun-min also takes the field in full form → Jang Jin-hyuk makes a surprise start at left field

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Regardless of whether it is good or bad, if they are physically ready, everyone must play."

Lee Kang-cheol (60), manager of the KT Wiz, who have fallen behind 1-2 in the series, has set up a desperate situation on the brink. Despite the injury setbacks among his key position players, he is determined to deploy all available regular members to turn the series around.

KT announced its starting lineup ahead of Game 4 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Korea Series (best-of-seven) against the Samsung Lions, scheduled for the 7th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

Facing Samsung starter Jang Chan-hee, KT arranged its starting lineup in the following order: Choi Won-jun (designated hitter), Jang Jin-hyuk (left fielder), Ahn Hyun-min (right fielder), Hillyard (center fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Kim Sang-su (second baseman), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Jang Jun-won (shortstop).

In fact, KT has been a veritable "injury ward" through Game 3 of this Korea Series. Starting with Kim Hyun-soo's finger injury in Game 1, followed by Kim Sang-su's heel pain, Choi Won-jun's thumb collision injury and Heo Kyung-min's left chest gallbladder symptoms in Game 2, and Ahn Hyun-min's ankle pain during defense in Game 3, key position players have fallen one after another. As a result, the KT lineup cooled rapidly in Game 3, leading to a 1-5 defeat.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol, who met with reporters before the game, showed firm resolve regarding the playing status of injured players, stating, "Regardless of whether it is good or bad, if they are physically ready, everyone must play."

The most welcome news is the return of Choi Won-jun, the "key leadoff hitter" who recorded 208 hits in the regular season. Still experiencing thumb pain, Choi returned to the starting lineup as the No. 1 designated hitter to reduce defensive burden. Following him, Jang Jin-hyuk, who has been in good batting form recently, will start at No. 2 left fielder, forming the table set. Manager Lee explained, "Jang Jin-hyuk's batting timing and feel are good, so I put him in as a starter. Kim Min-hyuk is tight around the hip, so he will wait on the bench, but he can be used as a pinch hitter."

The middle of the lineup has also been filled with elite members. Ahn Hyun-min, who complained of ankle pain the previous day, will take the field in full form at No. 3 right fielder. Regarding Ahn's condition, Manager Lee said, "There is absolutely no problem with his batting," adding, "Ahn Hyun-min needs to get on base for opportunities to connect behind him. I expect Ahn Hyun-min and Jang Jin-hyuk to reach base well and connect with Hillyard and the middle of the lineup." Sam Hillyard, whose batting form has revived, is placed at No. 4 center fielder, while veteran Kim Hyun-soo takes over as No. 5 first baseman.

The bottom of the lineup also receives support from veterans. Kim Sang-su, dealing with heel pain, will start at No. 6 second baseman, and Heo Kyung-min, who missed Game 3 due to pain, has shaken off his discomfort to return as No. 7 third baseman, anchoring the infield defense and the heart of the lineup. Han Seung-taek is the No. 8 catcher, and Jang Jun-won is the No. 9 shortstop.

On the mound, foreign pitcher Logan Allen will start. Manager Lee Kang-cheol stated, "The key is how quickly we can pull down their starter (Jang Chan-hee) and how long our starter Logan can hold up," adding, "If we tie the series at 2-2 today, it can start completely anew. Today's game is truly important," vowing a win.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original