The lightning strike fell on Samsung. Reliable starter Albert Suarez (34) is out due to a sudden calf injury. at least 4 weeks off. You have to find an alternative. The problem is that both are difficult.메이저놀이터

Suarez started on the 6th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the last game of the 2023 KBO League regular season against LG on the weekend, but came down with only 0.2 scoreless innings.

At the beginning of the first inning, in a situation where there were no two runners, Kim Hyun-soo gave up a hit. At this time, something went wrong with the calf. Coach Kwon Oh-joon and trainer came up to check the condition, and were replaced as they were. He is a player with a strong sense of responsibility, but he couldn’t help it because he was not feeling well.

He was taken to the hospital and had an MRI scan. The result was a 12cm damage to the left gastrocnemius (calf muscle). He said it would take 4 weeks to recover. It is September 3rd, which is 4 weeks based on 6 days. August can’t see Suarez.

Samsung Daewoo Kim is fighting back after starting the 2023 KBO League SSG match held at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 27th. Photo courtesy | samsung lions

The return point may be later. I need to build a body that can throw normally from the mound again. Even if it takes just one more week after recovery, the beginning of September will pass.

Calf injuries are sensitive. Baseball is a sport that requires the use of strength in an instant. In the case of a right-handed pitcher, the moment the ball is thrown, the left foot must be strong.

In the past, veteran players have retired due to calf injuries. This is because the recovery was relatively poor and recurrence was frequent. Although it has changed with the development of science, it is still nerve-wracking. It requires careful management.

That’s how Suarez’s departure was confirmed. It would be nice to return early with quick recovery, but I can’t guarantee anything right now. We need to find a replacement resource for Suarez.

Samsung Hwang Dong-jae. Jamsil | Reporter Park Jin-up upandup@sportsseoul.com

One thing I can think of is Bullpen Day. It is possible for Kim Dae-woo, who can handle long innings, to go first. However, it is not easy. Because it happens too often. If you look at Suarez’s order after August, it is the 12th, 18th, 24th, and 30th. Moving into September, the 5th and 10th of September take place.

If you go to bullpen day, you have to do it at least 4 times. Samsung doesn’t have enough middle pitchers to play with the bullpen once a week. Since available resources are limited, it is okay to do it once or twice, but it is not easy to do more than that.

We need to find a temporary recruit. Yang Chang-seop and Jang Pil-joon, who have started at least once, are currently throwing in the bullpen in the first team. It seems difficult to start again.

First of all, there is Huh Yun-dong, who is running as a starter for the Futures. However, he only appeared in 7 games (1 start) in the first team, and his earned run average reached 10.13.

Hwang Dong-jae is another resource, but his shoulder is not good, so he is unable to compete. The situation is expected to return in mid-August. If necessary, the return match can be played in the 1st team. He recorded an average ERA of 4.91 in three games in the first team this season. He is a resource that can be entrusted with.

Another candidate is Choi Ha-neul. He is consistently playing as a starter for the Futures. He is 6-2 with a 2.63 earned run average in 13 games and 72 innings. The best in Futures.

However, on May 20th, in the first group NC game, it was greatly shaken with 7 runs in 1.1 innings. He went right down the next day. Since then, he has appeared in 9 games for the Futures and is making a 3.15 earned run average. Quality Start (QS) 5 times, Quality Start Plus (QS+) 2 times. It was only after confirming the difference between Futures and Group 1 that it was over.

It depends on the decision of the coaching staff of the 1st and 2nd divisions, including coach Park Jin-man. I have to decide whether to raise a player in the Futures or manage it somehow as a player in the first team. He can also be a mixed type. The problem is that neither side is trustworthy.