Lotte Giants coach Larry Sutton (53) could not hide his regret at the news of the season out of the ‘1st nomination prospect’.

Head coach Sutton talked about the surgery안전놀이터 news for right-handed pitcher Lee Min-seok (20) at a meeting with reporters ahead of the home opening match against KT Wiz in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 7th.

On the 6th, Lee Min-seok received a checkup at Cheongdam Rion Hospital and was told that he would have to undergo surgery to remove bone fragments in his right elbow and reconstruction of his right gynecological ligament (MCL). Lee Min-seok, who appeared as a relief pitcher in the opening game against Doosan on the 1st and pitched without a run for 1⅓ innings, suddenly complained of elbow pain and ended up voluntarily giving up the pitch.

I never thought this would lead to a season out. Lee Min-seok will undergo surgery on the 14th and it will take about a year to rehabilitate. An official from Lotte said, “It is expected that it will take about 10 months only for full-scale rehabilitation. We judge that it will take about a year in total.”

Lee Min-seok’s departure from power supply can’t but be lightning-fast news to Lotte. Lee Min-seok, who wore a Lotte uniform as the first pick last year, is a pitcher who boasts a fastball of up to 155 km, and it is regrettable that he showed a fastball of 153 km in the opening game against Doosan this year.

Head coach Sutton said, ahead of the game against KT at Sajik Stadium on the 7th, “This is disappointing news. As a manager, I feel disappointed, but when I play baseball, unexpected things happen.” Another player will appear to fill the place of Lee Min-seok. It is also an opportunity for this player to step up.

On the other hand, coach Sutton commented on his impressions of playing the home opener, “The opening match is always exciting. Even though we played the opening match away, today is the opening match at home and it is the first time in front of many home fans. The players also have really good energy in training. It was a game I was very much looking forward to as a coach.”