KIA Tigers pitcher Hong Geon-hee has spoken about the immense physical and mental toll of the past four months, a period marked by a challenging rehabilitation process following an injury. Despite the difficulties, Hong is determined to contribute to the team’s late-season push.
A Difficult Road Back to the Mound
After concluding the previous season, Hong Geon-hee made a bold decision to decline a two-year, 1.5 billion won option with the Doosan Bears and enter the free agent market. He had been dealing with an elbow injury but felt confident in his physical condition at the end of last season, seeking a longer-term contract than what was offered. Although his initial contract negotiations did not go as planned, he ultimately signed a one-year deal worth 700 million won with the KIA Tigers, the team where he began his professional career.
Returning to KIA after a six-year absence, Hong aimed to re-establish himself as a key relief pitcher. He dedicated himself to rigorous training during the offseason and received praise from coaches and team officials for his excellent physical condition during spring camp. However, KIA initially preferred Hong to continue his rehabilitation in the minor league system to ensure his complete recovery before joining the main squad.
Hong joined the first team in mid-April and made an immediate impact in his first three appearances, recording one hold, three innings pitched, and an ERA of 0.00. His promising start was cut short on April 16th during a game against the Kiwoom Heroes in Gwangju. He experienced sudden shoulder pain, and due to the sensitive nature of the shoulder for pitchers, he was diagnosed with an injury that would sideline him for the first half of the season.
Reflecting on the Rehabilitation Journey
Speaking at Changwon NC Park, Hong Geon-hee described the past four months as an incredibly tough period. “Mentally, I was very tired, and physically, I was also very
