Choi Ji-kwang, who was sick and could not be tested, will eventually go to the operating table
Sep 19, 2024
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Samsung Lions must-win bullpen pitcher Choi Ji-kwang collapsed in extreme pain during the match against Incheon SSG Landers on the 14th. Choi Ji-kwang took the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning with Samsung leading 9-7. Choi Ji-kwang, who took the mound in relief in a crisis, allowed Ha Jae-hoon, the first batter, to hit the ball and loaded the bases. Then, as the balk mistake came out, all the runners advanced, and then Lee Ji-young allowed a two-run timely hit. Choi Ji-kwang, who allowed three runs in an instant, allowed a 9-10 turnaround and committed a wild pitch again. However, he struck out Ko Myung-joon and took two outs with difficulty.
However, an abnormality occurred immediately after striking out. In the match against Ko Myung-joon, Choi Ji-kwang threw two consecutive curves on the full count and struck out swinging, and immediately after that, he collapsed on the mound due to severe pain in his right arm. Training coaches and coaching staff came out of the Samsung bench to check the condition. The situation was unusual. In the end, Choi Ji-kwang was helped down the mound, and Samsung hurriedly replaced the pitcher with Lee Sang-min.
Choi Ji-kwang moved directly to the SSG club cooperation hospital, but a normal detailed examination was not possible on this day. The player felt the pain so severe that he couldn't complete the test, and he decided to wait for the pain to subside with only the fixing device on. Choi Ji-kwang was eliminated from the first team entry the next day.
As the Chuseok holiday overlapped, the exact results of the examination came out only on the 19th. An official from the Samsung team said on the 19th that the MRI scan at CM Hospital showed that surgery was needed due to damage to the medial ligament of the right elbow. Choi Ji-kwang said, "After surgery, we will proceed with rehabilitation in stages."
Eventually, the foreboding that had been ominous since the player suddenly complained of extreme pain during pitching became a reality. Samsung, which is close to confirming its second place in the regular season, lost a key bullpen agent at a critical time when it was trying to win the championship.
youll@sportschosun.com
