“Something doesn’t feel right…”
Cho Sang-woo (34), the right-hander of the Kiwoom Heroes, is back on the injured list. He recently returned to the mound, but still complained of minor discomfort in his shoulder after pitching. It was the same for both the Gocheok SSG Landers game on June 6 and the Daejeon Hanwha Eagles game on June 10. 메이저사이트
Coach Hong Won-ki agonized after being briefed by Jo Sang-woo after the match against SSG on Sunday. However, he seemed to have heard from players and coaches who said, “I will manage and try.” However, he showed the same reaction in his second game, and made a stern response.
Ahead of the match against the Kia Tigers at Gocheok Stadium on Tuesday, Hong said, “Some people said I didn’t feel good about it, not to mention the speed at all. I felt the same way at Daejeon. I definitely felt that there must be something wrong with this. He is a pitcher who gets into important situations. He is a must-winner. If the injury gets deeper or bigger in this situation, I think this season will be over, so I had to make a decision.”
Sure enough, the re-examination revealed that the shoulder was still inflamed. Cho Sang-woo is expected to take necessary measures such as injection treatment again. No one knows when to return. Coach Hong Won-ki said, “I can’t guarantee it. I don’t know what the difference will be between the previous findings of inflammation and this findings, but the inflammation remains for now.”
Now, Kiwoom needs to approach Cho Sang-woo with a long breath to preserve his health and values. Cho Sang-woo is a free agent after the 2025 season in the long run. First of all, we need to think about it and move. For this season, if the inflammation does not completely disappear, it is right not to be in the first team whether the team is in the semifinal fight or not. It is right to return when the inflammation disappears, but it is not a matter of urgent decision. The issue of lowering restraint eventually leads to health issues.
No matter how Cho Sang-woo finishes this season, trade rumors are likely to rise again in winter. Of course, Cho Sang-woo’s shoulder condition will be a variable. It is also interesting to see how Kiwoom will cope at this time. You can draw a big picture through Cho Sang-woo, but Cho Sang-woo is also a necessary player for Kiwoom.
The Kiwoom bullpen is unlikely to change in a big way next year as well. Kim Jae-woong, who joined the military, is not in the field next year either. There have been reports that veteran Won Jong-hyun, who signed an FA contract, will start pitching in September, and he is expected to start pitching next year in earnest. However, considering the hiatus caused by Tommy John surgery and his considerable age, it is hard to guarantee his performance.
This season, left-hander Kim Sung-min and right-hander Yang Ji-yul, who lowered their arms after serving in the military, look good. The key is for these pitchers to maintain their consistency for more than a year or two. If not, proven Cho Sang-woo’s performance will be more important. So, if Cho Sang-woo’s health is not guaranteed, it is hard to say that the Kiwoom bullpen will be positive next year.
For whatever reason, it is important for Kiwoom to maintain Cho Sang-woo’s health and preserve his values. Coach Hong Won-ki’s bold decision may have difficulties in this year’s semifinal fight, but it can be beneficial in the long run.