NC Dinos manager Lee Ho-joon addressed the recent struggles of pitcher Ryu Jin-wook, including a demotion to the second team following an incident in a game against Lotte. Lee Ho-joon clarified that Ryu Jin-wook’s reassignment was part of a pre-existing plan, not solely a consequence of the specific event.
Ryu Jin-wook’s Difficult Season
Ryu Jin-wook has faced challenges throughout the current season. As of the report, he had a record of 3 wins and 7 losses in 40 appearances, with 4 saves and a 8.72 ERA. This performance marks a significant decline from the previous year, where he recorded 4 wins and 3 losses with 29 saves and a 3.27 ERA, effectively solidifying the bullpen. His struggles this season have been particularly noticeable, especially in games requiring him to close out the match.
The manager noted a recurring pattern where Ryu Jin-wook tends to perform less effectively in years that are multiples of two, a trend that seems to be continuing this season. Despite starting the year as a relief pitcher, he has been unable to regain his previous form.
The Incident and Reassignment
On September 18th, during a game against Lotte, Ryu Jin-wook allowed a walk-off hit after failing to make a play on a ground ball. This led to a visibly frustrated reaction from teammate Park Min-woo, who was seen reprimanding Ryu Jin-wook in the dugout. The following day, Ryu Jin-wook was moved to the second team.
Initially, this reassignment might have appeared to be a direct disciplinary action. However, Manager Lee Ho-joon explained the broader context.
Manager’s Explanation of the Decision
“We had originally planned to send him down to the second team after the Lotte series,” Lee Ho-joon stated. “However, we had multiple pitchers on the first team experiencing fatigue. I was concerned that we might reach a point where we couldn’t utilize our relief pitchers effectively. So, we decided to send him down after the Lotte game, but then this incident occurred.”
The manager emphasized that Ryu Jin-wook’s performance as a relief pitcher, particularly his inability to consistently retire batters or make crucial plays, has been a point of concern. “It’s not acceptable for a veteran pitcher like Ryu Jin-wook to be making these kinds of mistakes,” Lee Ho-joon commented. “That role is for younger pitchers to gain experience. He wasn’t able to cleanly retire the three batters he faced, and the balance just isn’t there.”
Looking Ahead to Next Season
With the current season proving difficult for Ryu Jin-wook, the focus is now shifting towards preparing for the next year. “Now, we need to properly adjust and prepare for next season,” the manager concluded.
NC Dinos’ Current Situation
The NC Dinos have been on a six-game losing streak. For the game against KIA Tigers on September 20th, the starting lineup included Choi Jeong-won (infielder), Kwon Hee-dong (left fielder), Park Min-woo (second baseman), Blain (first baseman), Park Gun-woo (designated hitter), Kim Hwi-jip (outfielder), Cheon Jae-hwan (right fielder), Kim Hyung-jun (catcher), and Shin Jae-in (third baseman). The starting pitcher for this game was Toddy Ray.
The team’s performance, particularly in crucial late-game situations, highlights the need for adjustments and improved consistency from its players, including veteran pitchers like Ryu Jin-wook.
