Kiwoom’s Lee Hyung-jong returns to first team after 79 days…”I want him to show his first-half form”

Kiwoom Heroes outfielder Lee Hyung-jong (35) will step onto the field for the first time in 79 days after recovering from an injury.

Lee will start as the No. 6 designated hitter against the Hanwha Eagles at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Sept. 9.

It will be the first time Lee has appeared in a first-team game since April 21 in the first game of a doubleheader against the Doosan Bears.

Lee was hit on the instep of his left foot by a pitch in the eighth inning and underwent surgery after being diagnosed with a fracture.

“He’s been (playing) in the second team’s three games, getting more batting and fielding innings,” Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki said, “and now he’s back after receiving a report that everything is fine.”

“It’s a little early, but I hope he can play and show his good form from the first half of the season as soon as possible,” he said.

“It doesn’t matter, but since the surgery was on his foot, I will be alternating between Lee and the designated hitter for the time being,” he explained.

Before his injury, Lee was batting .268 with four home runs and 17 RBIs this season.

Meanwhile, Hong expressed his sadness for outfielder Ye Ji-won (25), who was released on the same day.

Ye, who graduated from Gyeongnam High School, was drafted with the 18th overall pick in the second round in 2018, but was cut after struggling to hit .174 (33-for-190) with two home runs and 13 RBIs in 117 games.

“I heard that he was very good with Lee Joo-hyung (Kiwoom) and Noh Si-hwan (Hanwha Eagles) during his time at Gyeongnam High School,” Hong said, adding, “He has good skills, but it’s sad that he couldn’t blossom and felt stagnant.” 카지노사이트