KT Wiz Grapples with Pitching Depth Concerns as Injuries Mount
The KT Wiz are facing significant challenges in their starting rotation, with key pitchers sidelined due to injuries. Manager Lee Kang-chul expressed his concern over the team’s pitching depth, particularly the lack of a reliable starter for upcoming games.
So Hyeong-jun’s Prolonged Absence Impacts Rotation
The absence of So Hyeong-jun, initially expected to be a short-term issue, has become a prolonged concern for the Wiz. So Hyeong-jun, who had been showing promising form earlier in the season, was placed on the futures roster after experiencing shoulder inflammation following a strong outing on May 5th. While his initial recovery was projected to take two to four weeks, the situation has extended, with the team now targeting a return in the third week of June.
This extended absence, coupled with other pitching injuries, has forced the team to explore alternative solutions. Manager Lee Kang-chul noted, “We’re contemplating a bullpen game. We’re considering using Seugi-moto as a starter next week against the Samsung Lions.”
Other Pitchers Also Unavailable
The pitching woes extend beyond So Hyeong-jun. Kim Min-hyuk was recently removed from the starting rotation due to shoulder discomfort. Additionally, Huh Kyung-min was sidelined from pitching duties on Sunday due to pain.
Manager Lee Kang-chul highlighted the need for more consistent performances from the remaining pitchers, stating, “I hope Seugi-moto can show more effort. He’s a pitcher who throws at 150 km/h.”
Recent Game Reflects Pitching Struggles
The team’s recent 1-10 loss to the LG Twins, where they conceded four home runs, underscored the pitching difficulties. “The game yesterday was tilted from the start, making it difficult to express any complaints,” Manager Lee Kang-chul commented. “We thought if we could stay close, we could catch up, but the game didn’t flow as expected.”
Regarding pitcher Bo-shil-li, who was removed from the game due to shoulder discomfort, Manager Lee Kang-chul explained, “Bo-shil-li can still throw, but he mentioned his arm doesn’t have much power. We took him out to prevent a more serious injury.”
Mun-yong-ik’s recent start against the Kiwoom Heroes on May 30th, where he pitched 2 and 2/3 innings with 4 earned runs, was not considered a poor performance in itself, but rather a game where he struggled after allowing hits. He is scheduled to pitch again on June 5th against the SSG Landers. However, the primary concern remains for the June 6th game, for which a clear starter is not yet available.
The team is actively working on rebuilding their pitching staff through rehabilitation and bullpen efforts, aiming for a collective return around the third week of June.
