‘LG flyer’ Flutko to be expunged from 1st team + reinstated 4-5 weeks…’break’ Ham Deok-ju to 2nd team

LG Twins foreign pitcher Adam Plutko has been removed from the lineup.

The LG Twins made changes to their first-team roster ahead of their 11th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League season against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Monday. Plutko and Ham Deok-ju were dropped from the roster, while Kim Yun-sik and Lee Ji-gang were called up.

The most notable name is Plutko. He had been a stalwart of the starting rotation this season, going 11-3 with a 2.41 ERA in 21 games and 123⅓ innings pitched, but in his most recent outing, on June 26 against the Changwon NC Dinos, he was removed from the mound after giving up one run on six hits in four innings with three walks and three strikeouts. The reason was left adductor (inner thigh muscle) discomfort, but after a medical examination, he was diagnosed with a ‘left pelvic bone contusion’. He is expected to be out four to five weeks.

Previously, Plutko had been on the mound for more than two weeks after being removed from the first-team roster for rest at the end of the first half last month, but after one start, he was sidelined late last month with cold symptoms and a high fever. Shortly afterward, he was diagnosed with COVID-19, further delaying his return. 메이저사이트

LG did manage to put out the fire by acquiring starter Choi Won-tae in a trade with the Kiwoom Heroes late last month, but once again, Plutko’s absence from the roster means a loss of power.

For now, left-hander Kim Yoon-sik will fill Plutko’s void for the time being. After struggling in the first team this season, going 3-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 11 games and 49⅓ innings, he hasn’t pitched in the first team in over two months, ending on June 8 against the Gochuk Kiwoom Heroes. After taking some time to recuperate in the second team, he has been pitching in the Futures League since late last month. In his most recent appearance, against the Sangsang (Armed Forces Athletic Corps) on the 23rd, he pitched three innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts and no runs.

“I don’t think Plutko will come out at the end of the season,” said Yeom Kyung-yup, before adding, “Kim Yun-sik will do well. I think he’s getting better. He had enough time to prepare,” and expressed his faith in Kim Yun-sik.

Ham Deok-ju, who played the role of a pinch-hitter, is not out of shape, but will return to the first team after taking a breather. “I pitched a lot of innings for the first time in a long time, but afterward, my recovery was a little slow. I pulled it out as a precaution, as it could cause damage if I kept going. The game after that is more important,” he said.

Meanwhile, LG’s lineup against Brandon Waddell was as follows: Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Kim Hyun-soo (designated hitter), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Park Dong-won (catcher), Moon Sung-joo (left fielder), and Park Hae-min (center fielder). The starting pitcher is Lee Jung-yong.