“I think I still need more time. It’s time to focus on my mental recovery.”
KT Wiz’s “genius hitter” Kang Baek-ho has been released from the first team again.
KT will play a midweek three-game series against the LG Twins at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on April 27. They are 4-1 in the second half. They are now down to -1 with a 5 percent chance of winning.
However, the absence of ‘sore finger’ Kang Baek-ho is a concern. On this day, KT removed Kang Baek-ho from the first team and registered pitcher Ha Jun-ho instead.
KT coach Lee Kang-cheol said before the game, “It’s time for him to establish himself. We need time. It’s time for change. We’re going to give them about 10 days.”
Kang Baek-ho’s year has been full of twists and turns. He had a falling out with his team over salary negotiations last winter, and was criticized for his so-called “ceremonial baserunning” at the World Baseball Classic (WBC) earlier this year. Coincidentally, Lee Kang-cheol was the manager of the WBC, and the team faced disaster in the form of three consecutive first-round exits despite a relatively favorable bracket.
On June 9, Kang Baek-ho was removed from the first team after complaining of “physical and mental fatigue. When he returned to the first team on June 11, he was noticeably thinner.
However, he struggled in his first eight games back, batting just 1-for-36 (3-for-22). Shortly after his return, he was the victim of a rare triple play.
In the end, KT decided to give Kang some more time in the second team.
This season, Kang is batting .261 with six doubles, six home runs, 32 RBIs, and a .744 OPS. Kang is also expected to be called up to the Korean National Team for the Hangzhou Asian Games in September. With Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes) out with an injury, Kang’s role has become even more important.메이저놀이터
“It’s more important for me to be mentally organized now. He needs to settle down before he can practice,” he said, adding, “For now, just think of it as time with the second team. I’ll talk about the comeback process when his condition is upgraded.”