The Samsung Lions’ “former captain” outfielder Kim Heon-gon has been named to the first team roster for the first time this season. Samsung head coach Park Jin-man decided to give Kim a chance to play the rest of the season in preparation for next year.

Samsung designated outfielder Kim Hun-geon for assignment on September 5 against the Lotte Giants in Ulsan. The roster spot was vacated by outfielder Kim Dong-yeop on Sept. 4.

Kim struggled in 80 games last year, batting 온라인바카라.192 with 43 hits, one home run and 20 RBIs. He was also relieved of his captaincy midway through the season.

Samsung outfielder Kim Heon-geon is on the first team for the first time this season. Photo by Chun Jeong-hwan
Kim’s season hasn’t gone well either. After failing to make the opening roster due to a nagging back injury, Kim played his first official game of the season on August 27 against the LG Twins in the Futures League after a long rehabilitation. After five games in the Futures League (16 at-bats, 3 hits, 1 RBI, 2 walks, 1 stolen base), Kim was promoted to the first team.

Manager Park Jin-man met with the media before the 5th game and said, “I decided to change the roster because I thought Kim Dong-yeop’s hitting was off. He had a long rehabilitation because he was not feeling well all season. There are reports that he is moving well in the Future Team, and he has done a lot for the team so far, so it’s good for him to play for the last one month to improve his senses for next year. I have a good throwing ability, so I plan to focus on the defense first.”

Samsung’s starting pitcher for Game 5 is Choi Chae-heung. Choi will return to the mound on three days’ rest after starting against the Daegu NC Dinos on the first day and giving up four runs on six hits in 55 pitches in two innings.

Park said, “A starting pitcher needs to throw 100 pitches to get five days of rest, so we decided that three days of rest would be enough if he threw about 50 pitches. Widener will take the mound tomorrow as scheduled. Won Tae-in, who threw fewer pitches (43) due to the rain delay of last Saturday’s game, will also start on Thursday (July 7).”

In Game 5, Samsung will face Lotte starter Wilkerson with a starting batting order of Kim Hyun-jun (center field)-Kim Sung-yoon (right field)-Koo Ja-uk (designated hitter)-Pirela (left field)-Oh Jae-il (first base)-Ryu Ji-hyuk (third base)-Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop)-Kim Ji-chan (second base)-Lee Byung-heon (catcher).

Park said, “Kang Min-ho’s hand condition is not perfect, so it’s difficult for him to start today. We will use him as a pinch hitter in a crucial situation later in the game.”

Samsung manager Park Jin-man has decided to give veteran outfielder Kim Heon-gon a chance to play. Photo by Kim Young-gu