Key Player Sidelined Ahead of World Baseball Classic

The South Korean national baseball team is facing a setback in its preparations for the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) as starting shortstop Kim Joo-won will be taking a day off due to swelling in his left hand.

National team coach Ryu Ji-hyun stated, Kim Joo-won will take a day off due to swelling in the little finger of his left hand.

Kim Joo-won stepped into the starting shortstop role following an injury to Kim Ha-seong.

Injury Details and Recovery

Kim Joo-won sustained the injury while sliding into first base during a practice game against the KIA Tigers on February 24th. When returning to first base, my finger got slightly caught on the base while sliding.” said coach Ryu Ji-hyun.

Coach Ryu explained the decision to rest Kim, stating, During practice games, the fielders take turns resting one by one. It is not a serious condition, and it was necessary to provide Kim Joo-won a rest.

Roster Adjustment and Upcoming Game

With Kim Joo-won unavailable, Kang Seong-woo, from the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu), will take over as the national team’s shortstop for today’s practice game.

Today’s game against the Samsung Lions will be the first nine-inning contest for the team in Okinawa, following previous seven-inning practice games. The team is using the longer game to prepare for various game situations, regardless of the score.

The pitching rotation for today’s game includes So Hyun-jun and Jeong Woo-joo, each pitching three innings, followed by Kim Young-gyu, Yoo Young-chan, and Park Young-hyun.

Coach Ryu Ji-hyun expressed optimism about the team’s progress, saying, The fielders are getting better, and I hope that the current trend will naturally continue to mainland Japan. Some of the pitchers are pitching for their third game today. They are preparing smoothly.

South Korea’s WBC History

The South Korean national baseball team, also known as the Blue Wave, has a strong history in international competition. They have participated in every edition of the World Baseball Classic, reaching the finals in 2009 and winning the WBSC Premier12 in 2015. They also won gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

FAQ

• What is the current status of Kim Joo-won’s injury? He is resting due to swelling in his left hand and is expected to return after a day of rest.
• Who will replace Kim Joo-won at shortstop? Kang Seong-woo will play shortstop in today’s game.
• What is the team’s schedule like? The team is currently training in Okinawa and will play a nine-inning practice game against the Samsung Lions.