‘Hold King’ KIA Jang Hyun-sik (28) is preparing to return. He also healed his injuries. KIA is in no hurry. Full recovery comes first. The overall bullpen depth is thick, so there is no reason to be in a hurry.

Jang Hyun-sik underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment in his right elbow after finishing his last season. Because of this, the 1st camp in the US could not be together. Still, he joined the 2nd Okinawa Camp, and is undergoing a rehabilitation process in a warm place. He is currently in the bullpen pitching phase.

Manager Kim Jong-guk said, “(Jang) Hyun-sik pitched the second bullpen. It’s going smoothly. He said he picked up the pace by going over 10 today. He’s up to 80 to 90 percent of his speed,” he explained.

There is a reason why KIA expects it. In 2021, he made 76.2 innings in 69 games, 1 win, 5 losses, 34 holds and 1 save, and an ERA of 3.29. Rise to the league hold king. Together with Jung Hae-young, he was strictly vigilant against the back door of KIA.

Even in the 2022 season, he made 52 innings in 54 games, 2 wins, 3 losses, 19 holds and 1 save, and an ERA of 3.12. Compared to 2021, it may be disappointing, but it is a good enough figure. I am looking forward to the 2023 season because I also cleaned up the bone fragments through elbow surgery.

On the one hand, I am also cautious. Director Kim said, “Hyunsik has to watch a little more. I think he will definitely have to completely shake off his injury and play.” He says that recovery is quicker than ligament splicing surgery, but since he had the surgery, he has to be careful.

The KIA bullpen is not so weak that Jang Hyun-shik has to return urgently. While Jung Hae-young is alive and well, Jeon Sang-hyun and Lee Jun-young are still there. Choi Ji-min has grown significantly after visiting Geelong Korea, and one of the starting candidates Kim Ki-hoon and Lim Ki-young may come to the bullpen.스포츠토토

Director Kim said, “(Choi) Jimin seemed to praise everything. His pitch itself has improved. In the practice game, there was a little shaking on location. If only that is caught, we can expect a better look than last season. He is thinking of the bullpen for now,” he explained.

He continued, “It would be nice if one of the five starters took a spot. (Kim) Ki-hoon and (Lim) Ki-young think that going to the bullpen will help the team. Until Hyun-sik returns, he intends to run the Pilseung group using a lot of left-handed pitchers. He intends to balance left and right. My left arm got better. He sees the bullpen as a strength.”

Last year, KIA recorded an average ERA of 4.70 in the bullpen. 7th in the league. On the surface, it doesn’t look very good. However, this season may be different. I see a lot of good players. The command tower even used the expression ‘strength’. This is why Hyunsik Jang does not need to overdo it. Jang Hyun-sik is also preparing well. The Hold King is coming back soon.