It's really fine now. It's 100 percent. There is no trauma. Koo Ja-wook finally returned to the ground after 137 days. I saw the ball well, too.

Mar 01, 2025

A practice game between LG and Samsung at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, on the 1st, Samsung Koo Ja-wook entering the batter's box in the bottom of the 4th inning. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.01/

Lee Seung-hyun, who finished his defense in the top of the second inning at a practice game between LG and Samsung at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, on the 1st. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.01/

Talking with head coach Park Jin-man after a practice game between LG and Samsung at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, on the 1st, and Samsung's Koo Ja-wook struck out in the bottom of the 4th inning. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.01/

[Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Kwon In-ha of Sports Chosun] The question of whether Koo Ja-wook (Samsung Lions) is okay is no longer a no-no.

Responding to the reporters' questions more than five times, "It's okay" and "It's 100% all", signaling that there is no problem.

Finally, Koo Ja-wook played. Koo Ja-wook started as the third designated hitter in a practice game against the LG Twins at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 1st. On October 15 last year, he was diagnosed with micro-damage to the inner ligament of his left knee during a baserunning play in the second semi-playoff match against LG in Daegu.

He went straight to Japan to receive treatment and tried to play in the next game, but unfortunately, he failed to play in the Korean Series and was out of the season. He boosted the atmosphere by comforting his teammates in the dugout, but Koo Ja-wook's shot was regrettable for the team when facing the KIA Tigers.

And on the 1st, 137 days later, he finally returned to the ground after holding the bat in a practice game against LG.

In his first at-bat in the bottom of the first inning, he walked with LG starter Lim Chan-kyu, and in his second at-bat in the bottom of the fourth inning, he played against Lee Ji-gang and struck out swinging for the fifth time in 2B2S. And in the third at-bat, he replaced Park Byung-ho.

Samsung Koo Ja-wook and Kim Heon-gon are playing catch in a practice game between LG and Samsung at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 1st. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.01/

Samsung Kim Heon-gon and Koo Ja-wook are playing catch in a practice game between LG and Samsung at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 1st. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.01/

Koo Ja-wook, whom I met after the game, said "I was just watching the practice game every time, but I had a lot of thoughts that I wanted to play quickly. When asked about his physical condition, he said, "I'm happy to run now", he said, "It's really good. I come here and I'm listening to the same question over and over again, and I'm answering it over and over again, and it's really, 100% okay." When asked if there is trauma or not while running and sliding, there is no trauma. It's all right."

Samsung was issued an "injury warning" as Kim Young-woong returned home early due to side pain and Denny Reyes also returned home with an injury in the foot.

Koo Ja-wook was also playing both batting and defense in training, but he only played in practice games now. He also did not defend, but hit two at-bats as a designated hitter. Koo Ja-wook said "Thank you for your consideration" but again "It's really good now"

Rather, he said he felt better. Koo Ja-wook said "It's rehabilitation, so I have to do the basics first. I think that's why it's well-established from the basics"So I'm in better shape now. I don't feel any pain, and I think I have more muscle mass."

It was his first real game, but Koo Ja-wook walked from his first at-bat. Koo Ja-wook said, "I thought it wouldn't be seen well, but I don't think it was bad because the ball was seen better than I thought"I struck out in the second at-bat, but it was okay"

In the future, he will continue to play in the game and raise his senses. Through training parts and meetings, he plans to adjust his participation and defensive appearance.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.