Samsung pitcher Won Tae-in has been removed from the first team roster with a right thumb strain. He is committed to the national team for the Hangzhou Asian Games.
Samsung head coach Park Jin-man announced Won’s status before the team’s game against KT at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on April 19. Won was left out of the first team roster.
Won made his seventh win of the season on April 14 against KT in Daegu, allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits (one home run) with two walks and six strikeouts in six innings. However, while pitching that day, he complained of pain in his right thumb.
Park said, “My right thumb is still bothering me. He said he has no strength. I think he needs to prepare his body before going to the national team, so he’s not throwing anymore. I took him off the roster today,” Park explained.
Initially, Won planned to make his last appearance against Doosan on the 22nd and participate in the national team’s training camp on the 23rd. Park said, “In order to pitch as a starter on the 22nd, he should be almost fully fit from now on. However, because he is still feeling uncomfortable, his start was canceled. It’s a bit unfortunate for the team because the starting staff is in a difficult situation,” Park said.
“To join the national team and throw the ball, if you look at the date, there is still time before the call-up, and I think it will be easy enough,” he added.
Once Won returns from the Asian Games, he will no longer have the opportunity to pitch in the regular season.
The Asian Games baseball finals and third- and fourth-place games will be held on Oct. 7. The team is scheduled to return home on Oct. 8. Samsung will then play two games on Sept. 9 and 10, and one game that was canceled due to rain.안전놀이터
Won has appeared in 25 games this season, posting a 7-6 record with a 3.17 ERA. He fell short of 10 wins for the third consecutive year, but threw 145 innings for the third straight year.
Won will be the temporary starter against Doosan on April 22. “We haven’t decided who will pitch today because it was decided that Won won’t be able to pitch. We still have time,” Park said.
Meanwhile, first-round (8th overall) rookie Lee Ho-seong is preparing to make his debut in late September. Lee appeared in three games (seven innings) in April and posted a 2.57 ERA. “He’s been pitching more and more in the second team. He will have a chance at the end of the month,” Park said.