Kim Tae-hoon returned to the field after 110 days in a Samsung Lions uniform as a free agent compensation player for Kim Sang-soo.
On the 25th, Kim batted second and started in left field against NC in the 2023 KBO Futures League at Masan Stadium. It had been 110 days since Kim played in a live game since 6 April against the Daegu Hanwha Eagles. Kim got a hit in his first at-bat in the first inning.
Kim was injured while training at Jamsil Stadium on 8 April. At the time, a Samsung representative said, “After an MRI examination at SM Imaging, we received a result that the damage to his lateral collateral ligament was severe. He will need to wear a cast for about two weeks and undergo a rehabilitation process. It is expected to take about 12 weeks to return to work.”
It was a devastating injury. Kim Tae-hoon left KT Wiz for Samsung ahead of the season as a free agent compensation for Kim Sang-soo. From the start of the spring training in Okinawa, Japan, Kim was recognised by Samsung manager Park Jin-man and was named the team’s batting MVP. In the exhibition games, he batted .314 with 11 hits, three home runs, 12 RBIs and six runs scored.
However, an unexpected injury broke the hearts of Samsung fans as well as coach Park Jin-man. “It’s even more unfortunate that he was injured during training, not during the game,” Park said shortly after Kim’s injury.
He quickly improved his condition and prepared for the second half. When we last spoke, he was hoping to return in mid-August, but he returned at the end of July. He is looking forward to playing in the Futures League to establish his pace and batting, and to return to the first team and give Samsung a big boost.토토사이트
Meanwhile, there were two other familiar faces in the game for Samsung fans. Infielder Oh Jae-il and pitcher Baek Jung-hyun. Oh batted fourth and designated hitter, while Baek started the game. Oh hit a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Baek pitched a scoreless first inning.
Oh Jae-il suffered a hamstring injury while running the bases against the Pohang Doosan Bears on the 5th. He received a disappointing medical report of about 8cm damage to his hamstring. Baek Jung-hyun hasn’t pitched since 23 June against the Incheon SSG Landers due to left elbow pain.
Both players are hoping to regain enough fitness to play a full game and help Samsung’s second-half rebound. Park Jin-man said, “Baek Jeong-hyun will pitch once for the Futures and if he is okay, we will send him out against KIA on 1 August. Oh Jae-il is in better shape than I thought. He will play in the Futures game next week. Initially, he will bat designated hitter. We are looking at a return to the first team in early August, assuming he feels better,” he said.