Hanwha Eagles encountered another significant setback when ace pitcher Moon Dong-ju left the mound mid-game due to shoulder discomfort during a matchup against the Samsung Lions.
Early Departure in Key Moment
Moon Dong-ju took the mound as the starter at Daegu Lions Park on the second of the month. Benefiting from a 1-0 lead after the top of the first, he faced challenges in the bottom half. Lead-off hitter Park Sung-gyu singled and stole second base. Moon induced groundouts from Kim Sung-yoon and Choi Hyeong-woo, reaching two outs with a runner on second.
As he worked to turn a double play against Choi Hyeong-woo, Moon suddenly felt discomfort in his pitching shoulder. He raised his left arm to signal the bench, prompting trainers and the pitching coach to rush out. The bullpen quickly warmed up, but Moon could not continue.
Reliever Struggles and Game Impact
Kwon Min-gyu entered in relief. After fully warming up, he allowed a sharp single through the infield to Diaz, tying the score at 1-1. Moon’s line: two innings pitched, one hit, one earned run, on just 15 pitches.
Team Statement and Broader Concerns
Hanwha officials stated, “Moon Dong-ju was removed due to shoulder discomfort during his outing. The team will monitor his condition before proceeding with a full diagnosis.”
This incident follows closely on the heels of foreign pitcher Ernandes, who was placed on the injured list the previous day with elbow inflammation. The loss of a key international arm followed by the ace has heightened concerns over Hanwha’s pitching depth amid a string of injuries.
