Time for Hanwha Eagles outfielder Lee Myung-ki (36) 안전놀이터 stopped in the match against Daejeon SSG Landers on April 7th. Number 7 – Myung-gi Lee, who played as the designated hitter, hit a hit to left in his second at-bat in the bottom of the fifth inning. At a full count, he hit a two-seam fastball thrown by opposing starting pitcher Park Jong-hoon to a low course outside with a short swing. The batted ball passed between third baseman Choi Jeong and the base and went toward left field. It was the second hit of the season.
A nightmarish moment soon followed. During Lee Do-yoon’s at-bat in number 8, he ran to second base and succeeded in stealing a base. In the process, his right ankle was seriously injured. He was diagnosed with an ankle fracture and was put on the operating table the next day. He said he needed five months of treatment and rehabilitation.
He appeared in three games, going 2-for-10 with two hits, two RBIs, one run scored, and one stolen base. This happened just a week after the season opened.
After undergoing rehabilitation treatment and training, Lee Myung-ki is preparing to return to the first team. Since the end of August, he has been playing in Futures League (second team) matches. He appeared in a total of 8 games until the Goyang Heroes on the 16th. He went 5-for-17, batted .209, 4-0, had 5 RBIs and 1 run scored.
At a time when there is a fierce battle for rankings, it would be a great help if Lee Myung-gi joins the first team. A veteran with a career batting average of .306 and 1,099 hits is needed.
However, he is not yet up to 100% fitness. September 7th against Doosan Bears, 12th and 14th against LG Twins
There were four games off until the three-game series. Kim Seong-gap, head coach of Hanwha Futures Team, said, “I was not feeling well recently, so I took a break.”
In the current situation, everything is cautious. It is difficult to play defense and base running normally. He went out as a designated hitter against the Heroes on the 16th and hit a double. He went 1-for-2 and was substituted.
Coach Choi Won-ho said, “First, when my body is at 100%, I will try to improve the hitting feeling even if it is not good, but that is not the case. There is no problem when running in a straight line, but it is said that there is irritation (in the injured area) when running on a curve or turn.” “So I’m watching,” he said.
Coach Choi emphasized 100% physical condition several times.
Lee Myung-ki, who played for NC Dinos, wore a Hanwha uniform through a sign-and-trade last February.
In the current situation, it is difficult to predict when he will return to the first team.