Tigers Eye Castro’s Comeback to Bolster Slumping Offense
The KIA Tigers are eagerly anticipating the return of outfielder Harold Castro, who has been sidelined for an extended period. With Adalberto Rodriguez no longer on the roster, the offensive burden has fallen heavily on players like Kim Do-young, Na Sung-bum, and Kim Ho-ryeong. The team is looking to Castro to provide much-needed support and alleviate some of that pressure.
Manager Weighs Options for Castro’s Activation
Manager Lee Beom-ho expressed his considerations regarding Castro’s reintegration into the lineup. “We’re contemplating whether to have Castro train with the first team soon,” he stated. This thought process stems from the team’s current offensive woes, with the Tigers’ batting average hovering at a concerning .239 in June, placing them last among ten teams. While a recent victory saw Na Sung-bum contribute with multiple extra-base hits, it’s acknowledged that relying on him and Kim Do-young for consistent home runs is unsustainable.
Currently, the Tigers’ offense often feels like a lottery, heavily dependent on team home run rankings. Castro has been out since April 25th due to a hamstring injury. During his absence, the Tigers briefly brought in Adalberto Rodriguez as a short-term foreign player replacement, experiencing some success. Negotiations for a contract extension with Rodriguez were underway, but his departure due to personal reasons left a void at the foreign hitter position.
Castro Nearing Return, Focus on Game Readiness
Castro is working towards a mid-June return and is currently building game-readiness in the minor league system. He recently participated in a minor league game against the KT Wiz, starting as the second batter and first baseman, and recorded one hit in four at-bats. Manager Lee observed Castro’s progress, noting, “Before playing in the minor league game today, he was already practicing things like getting accustomed to fastballs and live batting.”
The manager elaborated on the team’s planning for Castro’s return, explaining, “It wasn’t that we kept Castro because we were talking to Adalberto. We were thinking about what would happen if we trained Castro.” He added, “Currently, Castro has no problem seeing pitches over 145 km/h.”
Strategic Approach to Castro’s Activation
Lee indicated that the team is considering various approaches for Castro’s return. “We might watch him play one more game tomorrow and then make a decision, or we could bring him up to the first team immediately as a designated hitter to build his condition,” he suggested. “Personally, I think it would be good for him to come up to the first team soon, play in actual games, and find his rhythm. Even if he builds the best condition in the minors, facing the first team is a different challenge. He might miss a few games, but finding his hitting touch in the first team might be more likely.”
However, it’s important to note that Castro is a balanced hitter, not a power-hitting slugger like Rodriguez. Prior to his injury, his performance was not outstanding, with a batting average of .252, 2 home runs, 16 RBIs, and an OPS of .700. Having been sidelined before reaching 100 at-bats, and considering the need for an adjustment period, the Tigers are understandably feeling some urgency.
Jeon Sang-hyun Also Set for Return
In other team news, Jeon Sang-hyun is reportedly ready for his return to the first team, having pitched a scoreless inning in his recent outing. Manager Lee confirmed, “Jeon Sang-hyun will be promoted as scheduled this weekend. We considered having him pitch in relief again, but we’re questioning if that’s necessary.” He added, “We’ll have him rest on the 18th and then see him pitch once more on the 19th before making a decision.”
