The KT Wiz, who are chasing the first-place LG Twins, are getting some key reinforcements.
Outfielder Kang Baek-ho (24), who has been away due to mental issues, will return.
“After today’s second-team game, I decided to call second-team coach Kim Ki-tae (to discuss the timing of his return),” KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said when asked about Kang’s return ahead of the team’s upcoming game against the Kiwoom Heroes of the 2023 Baseball World Series at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Wednesday. “I think it would be good if he plays from the day after tomorrow (when the team begins a three-game series against the LG Twins).”
“I think we can use him as a pinch-hitter for now, and then use him (as a starter) when a spot opens up,” Lee said.
Kang Baek-ho has been extremely up and down this season, and hasn’t played well since suffering a mental trauma in June.
He briefly returned to the first team before being dropped again in late July.
After recovering, he went 1-for-4 in the Futures League against Sangmu on July 1 and 1-for-2 against Sangmu on July 2.
However, Kang is likely to remain a pinch-hitter for the first team for a while.
The designated hitter spot will be filled by Park Byung-ho, who is suffering from a sore calf, while the outfield is dominated by Kim Min-hyuk, Choi Jae-dae, and Anthony Alford.
Kang Baek-ho is expected to be utilized as a joker in the second half of the game when a ‘one-hitter’ is needed.
KT also has some reinforcements. Shortstop Kim Sang-soo is back after being sidelined with an ankle sprain.
KT plans to play the three-game series against LG with full strength.
KT has announced a full-strength lineup for the three-game series against LG. The team also announced three key pitchers, William Cuevas, Wes Benjamin, and Ko Young-pyo, as starters.
Second-place KT trails LG by 5.5 games through two days. 토토사이트