LG Finishes, whose face has changed for three consecutive years...Can we protect "Back Door" well

LG Finishes, whose face has changed for three consecutive years...Can we protect "Back Door" well

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The LG Twins have replaced the closing pitcher for three consecutive seasons. Ko Woo-suk (Miami), who led the team to the 2023 championship, left for the U.S., and Yoo Young-chan, who was in charge of the back door last year, underwent surgery. Jang Hyun-sik, who was recruited as a free agent by spending a huge amount of 5.2 billion won, was selected as the closing pitcher for this season.스포츠토토

Yoo Young-chan, who had 26 saves (7 wins, 5 losses and 1 hold) last year, is on the operating table due to fatigue fracture. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop did not talk much about when Yoo will return to the team, but said, "The first half may be difficult. We are looking forward to his return to the team in the second half of this year."

With Yoo Young-chan's departure, LG had to find a new finishing touch, but Yeom's choice was Jang Hyun-sik. Jang, who led the KIA Tigers to victory last year by posting 16 holds, was in charge of locking LG's back door firmly in the 2025 season.

Coincidentally, LG decided to replace the closing pitcher for the third consecutive season. Ko Woo-suk finished in 2023, Yoo Young-chan last year, and Jang Hyun-sik this season.

For LG, which aims to win this season, the performance of bullpen pitchers has become more important to advance to a higher place. Manager Yeom also stressed, "The bullpen should endure well in the early part of the season this year."

What is positive is that the depth of the bullpen has become thicker. Yoo Young-chan and Ham Deok-ju were out due to surgery, but Jang Hyun-sik and right-hander veteran Kim Kang-ryul were brought in through the FA, and right-handed sidearm Shim Chang-min was also recruited. Choi Chae-heung, a left-hander who joined as a reward player, is a candidate for the 5th starting pitcher for now, but if not possible, he can play as a bullpen.

Coach Yeom explained, "This year, there are far more resources than we can give a chance."
Shim Chang-min, Choi Chae-heung and Kim Kang-ryul, who moved to the LG Twins, pose for reporters after the 2025 LG Twins New Year's greeting ceremony at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 8th. 2025.1.8/News1 ⓒ Kim Do-woo, reporter for 2025
"Bulpen Baek Seung-hyun and Park Myung-geun, who experienced the championship the year before last, had difficulties last year, and (the experiences) would have been important nourishment," he said.

Baek Seung-hyun, who had 11 holds and a 1.58 ERA in 2023, was sluggish with two saves and a 9.11 ERA last year. Park Myung-geun also made three wins, four losses, nine holds and five saves in his debut season (2023), but he did not grow as much as expected with two wins, two losses and one save and eight holds last year.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said that three veteran right-handers, including Kim Kang-ryul, Jang Hyun-sik and Kim Jin-sung, should take the center stage of the bullpen. "Depending on how well Jang Hyun-sik, Kim Jin-sung and Kim Kang-ryul take the center stage in the first half, it can be easier to nurture (young pitchers)," the head coach said.

LG expects the team to create synergy with Lee Jung-yong, who will return after being discharged from the military at the end of June, Ham Deok-ju, and Yoo Young-chan, who will return from injury, if they hang in there well in the first half.

Coach Yeom said, "It is a big plus factor that there are three resources to return from the match," adding, "If it is made well, it will be a good opportunity to run (in the future)."