“Your rehab is going well. But…”
The manager avoided answering. Lotte Giants’ Na Kyun-ahn (23), who has emerged as the new homegrown ace, is expected to return a little later.
The Lotte Giants played the second game of their midweek series against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome on 9 September.
Na Kyun-ahn was the key to Lotte’s early season surge. In the month of April, he went 4-0 with a 1.34 ERA in five games and 33⅔ innings pitched, leading the team to a first-place monthly finish.
He started to falter in May (3.62 ERA). In June and July, he struggled along with the team.
Then, on the 30th of last month, just before his 18th start of the year, he suffered a sudden hamstring strain. As it was the day before his scheduled start, there was no time to prepare another pitcher, so Han Hyun-hee stepped in to fill Na Gyun-an’s spot. It was his first start since 16 June against the SSG Landers.
Han pitched well against the KIA Tigers in his first start back on one day’s rest, allowing one run in four innings. However, in his second game back, on the 5th against the SSG Landers, he struggled a bit, giving up three runs in four innings.
At the time of his departure, Lotte manager Larry Sutton said, “It’s not a hamstring tear, just a sprain. It is confirmed that he will rest for one rotation. I’m thinking about two to three weeks. If he recovers quickly, he could be back in 10 days, but…” He was cautious.
Ten days have passed since then. On this day, Han Hyun-hee was seen pitching out of the bullpen in Gochuk.
For now, Na Gyun-ahn’s return is expected to be delayed. “He’s on schedule and on track,” Sutton said, “but there’s still some time. We’re going to make sure we’re checking things out, and then we’ll talk about it in a few days.” Sutton was noncommittal.
Prior to Na’s departure, main catcher Yoo Kang-nam was also dismissed from the first team on the 29th of last month after tearing his left abductor (side muscle) while swinging. In response, a Lotte team official said, “He is rehabbing hard. I think Na Gyun-ahn (who did not tear the muscle) will return before Yoo Kang-nam.”토토사이트
Ahn Kwon-soo and Ko Seung-min have been added to the first team ahead of schedule due to a number of injuries. Yoon Dong-hee and Niko Goodrum are also playing with some thigh discomfort.