Kiwoom Heroes pitcher Ha Young-min, 31, has been removed from the first team entry due to an injury. This decision comes despite the cancellation of all KBO League games on September 5th due to heavy rain. Ha Young-min is the only player to be removed from first-team rosters on this day.
Ha Young-min’s Career and Recent Contract
Ha Young-min is a veteran right-handed pitcher with a career record of 35 wins, 41 losses, and 9 holds in 253 games, holding a 4.99 ERA over 670.2 innings pitched in the KBO League. He joined the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes) in 2014 as a second-round pick in the first round (4th overall) of the rookie draft. He has been a loyal one-club man, playing his entire career with the Heroes.
This season, Ha Young-min has been a key part of the Heroes’ starting rotation, pitching in 19 games for 88 innings, recording 4 wins and 6 losses with a 4.60 ERA. His importance to the team was further solidified on August 13th when he signed a non-tender, four-year contract extension worth 800 million Korean won. This agreement ensures his place in the starting rotation for the foreseeable future.
Since signing the contract extension, Ha Young-min has pitched in 4 games during the second half of the season, accumulating 21 innings. His performance in this period includes 1 win and 1 loss with a 6.00 ERA. His most recent outing was on September 4th against the Lotte Giants, where he started but was ultimately credited with the loss after allowing 9 hits, 2 walks, 3 earned runs, and 3 unearned runs over 5 innings.
Injury and Removal from Roster
Following his start on September 4th, Ha Young-min was removed from the first team entry on September 5th due to discomfort in his left quadriceps. This removal occurred even though the scheduled game against the Lotte Giants that day was canceled due to heavy rainfall, along with all other KBO League games. Ha Young-min’s case is unique, as he is the sole player to face such a roster adjustment on this particular date.
A representative from the Kiwoom Heroes explained the situation: “Ha Young-min was removed from the first team entry due to some discomfort in his left quadriceps. He is scheduled for an examination tomorrow. We do not believe it is a major injury. If the examination reveals no significant issues, he is expected to return after a period of rest.”
Kiwoom Heroes’ Season Performance and Future Outlook
The Kiwoom Heroes have had a challenging season thus far, currently sitting in 10th place in the KBO League with a record of 38 wins, 2 ties, and 64 losses, resulting in a.373 winning percentage. However, their performance in the second half of the season shows a marked improvement, with a record of 9 wins, 1 tie, and 7 losses, and a.563 winning percentage, placing them third in the league during this period.
The team has been on an upward trend in the latter half of the season. The news of Ha Young-min’s injury, therefore, comes as a setback amidst this positive momentum. The focus now shifts to how the team will navigate this challenge and whether they can continue their strong second-half performance despite the absence of a key starting pitcher. The upcoming examination results for Ha Young-min will be crucial in determining the duration of his absence and the team’s subsequent adjustments.
The team’s ability to overcome this adversity and maintain their competitive edge in the second half of the season will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The depth of their pitching staff and their resilience in the face of unexpected challenges will be put to the test as they aim to climb further in the league standings.
