With Korea scheduled to play its rival Japan in a pair of exhibition baseball video games in Tokyo this weekend, supervisor Ryu Ji-hyun is being tight-lipped about his utilization plans for his prime two right-handed starters, Received Tae-in of the Samsung Lions and Moon Dong-ju of the Hanwha Eagles.
Received has already appeared in 10 video games for the nationwide group at age 25. Moon, 21, pitched Korea to the gold medal on the 2023 Asian Video games with a scoreless outing within the last in opposition to Chinese language Taipei. Each have been among the many finest homegrown beginning pitchers within the Korea Baseball Group (KBO) lately and are anticipated to hold the massive load on the World Baseball Traditional (WBC) in March subsequent yr.
Nevertheless, neither pitched in Korea’s two wins over the Czech Republic in Seoul over the weekend. It stays unclear if both of them will toe the rubber when Korea’s WBC prep continues at Tokyo Dome this weekend.
“Crucial factor is to have our gamers of their finest bodily situation attainable for the WBC subsequent March. This isn’t the time to push them too exhausting,” Ryu instructed reporters after a apply session at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Tuesday, the eve of his group’s departure for Japan. “Each Received Tae-in and Moon Dong-ju loved nice seasons this yr, and they’re essential pitchers for us. That is why now we have to take the lengthy view. I’ll let you already know if they’re able to pitch in opposition to Japan.”
Each right-handers set profession highs in innings, common season and postseason mixed. Received went 12-4 with a 3.24 ERA in 166 2/3 innings — his fifth straight season of at the least 150 — and logged 17 2/3 extra innings in three rounds within the postseason.
When requested about his probabilities of pitching in Tokyo, Received mentioned, “Nothing has been finalized. I should communicate with the supervisor as soon as we’re in Japan.”
Moon threw 121 innings within the common season, whereas successful a career-high 11 video games, and tossed a further 11 1/3 innings throughout 4 outings in two rounds of the postseason.
Moon touched 161 kilometers per hour together with his signature fastball in his first postseason sport in aid, however when he began Sport 5 of the Korean Collection, Moon’s fastballs sat within the low 140s. He was pulled after the primary inning.
The Eagles confirmed Moon had not suffered any harm, however the nationwide group employees has not been in any rush to place Moon again on the mound.
“I’ve managed within the KBO for 2 years, and groups have their very own pointers on defending gamers. Received and Moon have already surpassed innings thresholds set by their golf equipment,” Ryu mentioned. “It could be so silly if we solely chase short-term objectives right here and one thing occurs to those gamers.”
Earlier than boarding his Tokyo-bound flight Wednesday afternoon, Moon mentioned he’ll attempt to keep able to pitch.
“I have been speaking an important cope with my supervisor and coaches right here, and I have been coaching actually exhausting,” Moon mentioned. “I do not understand how issues will play out, however I’ll attempt my finest to be prepared. I do not assume I shall be requested to throw that many innings, but when I take the mound, I wish to preserve Japan off the board.”
