There’s more bad news for the KBO’s last-place (10th) Kiwoom Heroes. Veteran starting pitcher Chung Chan-heon received a report that he needs back surgery. He’s effectively out for the season.

Chung had been called upon whenever the team needed a backup starter this season. He took over for Jang Jae-young after the latter struggled in the first five games of the regular season and was in the starting rotation for the entire first half. He lost the No. 5 spot to Jang Jae-young again shortly after the start of the second half of the season, but rejoined the starting lineup when No. 4 Choi Won-tae was traded to the LG Twins on March 29, leaving a vacancy in the rotation. Even Chung Chan-heon, who had been doing the heavy lifting, left the team.

Kiwoom’s power dropped sharply after the loss of top hitter Lee Jung-hoo to injury and the transfer of Choi Won-tae. As of the 24th, they are at the bottom of the league (10th).

Kiwoom coach Hong Won-ki said, “Even in a bad situation, we have to grab the games we can win.” But realistically, the chances of reaching the postseason (PS) are very low. Some might argue that it’s better to give the younger players more game experience to help them grow.

In the meantime, the Yasujin have started to rebuild. Outfielder Lee Joo-hyung, who was acquired in exchange for Choi Won-tae, has been a mainstay throughout August. The team also used third-year infielder Kim Hwi-jip as the No. 4 hitter. Rookie catcher Kim Dong-heon also got more starts than veteran Lee Ji-young in the second half.

The starting lineup is also looking for new faces. Ace Ahn Woo-jin and third-year prospect Jang Jae-young, who has found stability in the second half of the season, are locked in. The team needs to find a replacement for the remaining spot in the starting lineup.

The first pitcher who appealed to manager Hong Won-ki was Kim Sun-ki. He pitched against the Gochuk Doosan Bears on March 23, Jung’s scheduled start, and gave up five runs (two earned) on eight hits in four innings.

He struggled defensively in the third inning when first baseman Kim Woong-bin made back-to-back errors, but he showed good command by striking out six. Manager Hong Won-ki praised him, saying, “He pitched impressively even though he didn’t get any help from the defense.” Hong announced that Kim will start against the Samsung Lions on April 27.

Right-hander Oh Sang-won, who Kiwoom selected in the second round of this year’s rookie draft, also made his debut on April 20 against the Lotte Giants. He will be on standby as a long reliever this week.

For Kiwoom, it’s not about filling a starting spot for the rest of the season. It’s about finding a young starter who can go the distance. Kim Sun-ki, born in 1991, has a relatively large amount of first-team experience, but he doesn’t fit the rebuilding mold.먹튀검증

Kim Dong-gyu, who was acquired along with Lee Joo-hyung in exchange for Choi Won-tae, Joo Seung-woo, the first pick in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft, and Noh Un-hyun, a 2022 second-rounder, are currently in the Futures League starting rotation. They will likely get the opportunity to start for the first team for the remainder of the regular season.