Hanwha Eagles ace Moon Dong-ju returned to South Korea early from spring training in Australia after experiencing shoulder pain during a bullpen session. Medical evaluations confirm inflammation rather than a severe tear, allowing for a quick recovery.
Early Departure and Diagnosis
Moon Dong-ju arrived back via Incheon International Airport on January 23 following the incident at camp. He entered the country on January 6 and received domestic treatment after pain emerged in his right shoulder during pitching practice. Joining the team on January 9, subsequent exams revealed inflammation, ruling out a major injury.
A Hanwha official stated, “Pain arose in the right shoulder area during bullpen work. He plans to rest briefly before resuming training.”
Strong Performance Last Season
During 24 games in Jinan last year, Moon posted an 11-5 record with a 4.02 ERA, leading the league in several strikeout categories. He earned Series MVP honors in the Freeseo playoffs after six innings, two earned runs, and 10 strikeouts in a standout performance. He also shone in the Korean Series with two quality starts.
Currently in Daejeon, Moon engages in light catchball ahead of the Eagles’ playoff series opener.
WBC Preparation and Resilience
Moon steadily built his condition at the Saipan WBC camp in January. Reflecting on challenges, he noted, “It’s intimidating even for the young. I couldn’t complete a single bullpen session at home. That level of pain overwhelmed me twice during consecutive mound appearances—it’s a serious condition.”
He added, “With WBC ahead, avoiding rest means maintaining top form, which is ideal.”
Director Ryu Ji-hyun’s Assessment
Ryu Ji-hyun, Hanwha director, observed, “On the first try at Hanwha facilities on the 30th, inflammation appeared during the initial bullpen. The shoulder condition wasn’t great, preventing full sessions. Despite good overall state, it hindered progress. We monitored closely. Even on the 1st, after 22 bullpens, he showed promise and relief. Pain subsided notably then. On the 4th, another bullpen in Ulinara signalled improvement. By January 30th overall, signs of greater recovery emerged. From the 5th to the 7th switchover, Hanwha staff noted progress.”
Ryu further explained Moon’s WBC integration: “Shanghwa傷 injury aside, entering the ace rotation from March 5th (official) involves base training February 15th (private) and practice games. Achieving that adjustment boosts confidence immensely, as teammates agree.”
