Kim Gwang-Hyun sluggish in the demonstration game ▶ Click here for a larger view
Left-handed pitcher Kim Gwang-hyun (33, St. Louis Cardinals) stopped pitching training due to back pain.
As a result, the first start of the regular league season scheduled against the Cincinnati Reds at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA on April 5 (Korean time), was also difficult.
St. Louis coach Mike Silt said in an interview with US media such as MLB.com on the 14th (Korean time) that Kim Gwang-hyun recently stopped pitching training due to complaining of back pain while pitching a bullpen.
Kim Gwang-hyun, who appeared for the second time in the demonstration game on the 9th, had to stand on the mound for the third time on this day as scheduled, but was caught in unexpected pain.
“It’s not a very big problem, but it’s true,” said Silt. “Kim Kwang-hyun may not be able to play in the first game of the regular league. There are other starting candidates,” suggesting that Kim Gwang-hyun’s first appearance in the season will be delayed.
According to reports such as MLB.com and the local newspaper St. Louis Post Dispatch, Kim Gwang-hyun’s pain area is known to be a place he has not experienced before.
Director Silt explained, “Kim Gwang-hyun received treatment and loosened his muscles.”
The St. Louis club is about to give Kim Gwang-hyun enough time to recover and run the early part of the regular league as an alternative starter.
It is expected that it will take a considerable amount of time to raise the pace again since Kim Gwang-hyun stopped pitching at the time when it is necessary to increase the number of pitching and pitching innings.
Kim Gwang-Hyun appeared in two demonstration games this year, hit 10 hits in 3 innings, and scored 8 runs (7 ERA) and was sluggish with an average ERA of 21.00.
St. Louis will play their first game of the season away against Cincinnati on April 2. After a day off, the 2nd and 3rd leg matches on April 4-5, the Miami Marlins fight in a 3rd row.
In the first and second games, Jack Flaherty and Adam Wainwright will start.
Following Kim Gwang-hyun, who was appointed as the third starter, Miles Mycolors, who was the fourth starter, went on a break for 7 to 10 days due to pain in the right shoulder, and St. Louis is preparing a new starting team as an alternative agent.
John Gant is the best candidate for My Colors, and Daniel Pons Deirion is the best candidate for Kim Kwang-hyun.
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