Right-hander Lee Jung-yong (LG Twins), who played an active role in the bullpen, changes his position to starter.
LG coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop talked about Lee Jung-yong’s메이저놀이터 position change ahead of the 2023 professional baseball KBO league away game against the NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park on the 21st.
Lee Jeong-yong, who debuted as a pro in an LG uniform in 2019, was a key bullpen resource for LG, posting an average ERA of 3.20 with 10 wins, 7 losses, 1 save and 41 holds in 165 games (163 innings) until last year.
However, Lee Jeong-yong is suffering from sluggishness with an average ERA of 5.57 with 3 wins, 3 saves and 1 hold in 23 games this season. Lee Jeong-yong’s selection transition was due to his slump and left-hander Lee Sang-young, who had a lot of expectations as a starting resource, fell into slump.
Lee Sang-young, who played a return match after being discharged from the military at the Jamsil Samsung Lions match on the 14th (4 hits, 2 runs in 4 innings), was shaken with 1.2 innings, 2 hits, 4 hits, 1 strikeout, 3 runs and 2 earned runs in the match against Changwon NC the previous day (20th). He was excluded from the first team entry ahead of the game that day.
Coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop said, “(Watching yesterday’s game) I thought about Yoo Young-chan and Lee Jeong-yong (who to appoint as the starting pitcher). It was with this in mind that I made Yoo Young-chan throw long (2.2 innings, 3 runs, 41 pitches),” he said. “After the game, I had a meeting with the coaching staff. I thought Yoo Young-chan threw a lot last year, but he couldn’t even throw 20 innings in the second team. (Suddenly) If you switch to starting and keep throwing, there is a risk of injury. I like Yoo Young-chan in the middle, so I decided to keep him in the bullpen and convert Lee Jung-yong to a starting pitcher.”
At the same time, Director Yeom said, “(The 5th starter is now), no matter who goes out, it’s a bullpen day format. Lee Jeong-yong will continue to rotate in the starting rotation. Starting this Sunday, we start with 50 pitches. We will gradually increase the 65th and 75th districts,” he said. For your reference, the game coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop predicted Lee Jung-yong’s starting pitching was the Jamsil Lotte Giants game on the 25th.
Director Yeom Gyeong-yeop said, “If Lee Jeong-yong enters, the starting rotation will return stably.” He thought it would be good to do it in advance. I had an interview with (Lee) Jeong Yong. (Lee Jung-yong) He said, ‘If he’s going to do it anyway, he doesn’t think it’s bad to do it now.’ So, under the agreement, we proceeded swiftly.”
Due to Lee Jeong-yong’s selection change, LG’s 4th and 5th selections this year were taken in turn by Lee Min-ho, Lee Min-ho, and Kim Yun-shik, who are undergoing adjustment in the 2nd division. Director Yeom said, “Three people will take turns throwing. Lee Jeong-yong explained (because this is his first time being selected), he will need a break in between.”
On the other hand, LG teamed up with pitcher Lim Chan-kyu on this day, Hong Chang-ki (right fielder) – Moon Seong-joo (left fielder) – Kim Hyeon-soo (designated hitter) – Park Dong-won (catcher) – Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop) – Moon Bo-kyung (3 baseman) – Kim Min-seong (1st baseman) – Park Hae-min (center fielder). -You made the starting lineup with Shin Min-jae (second baseman). Austin Dean, who suffered a finger injury in the game against NC on the 20th, will not play that day.