The KT Wiz have another reason to finish second. Uhm Sang-baek, who is rehabbing from a rib injury, won’t be back until the postseason. The later they start fall baseball, the healthier Uhm will be.
KT manager Lee Kang-cheol gave an update on Uhm’s rehabilitation ahead of the 16th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against Lotte at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on Nov. 21.
Lee said, “I received a report that his ribs are almost attached. They say that fluid comes out when the bones are attached, and it’s coming out now. However, it is expected that he will not be able to return until the postseason.”
Uhm was removed from the first team roster on March 24. The reason: injury. At the time, Lee said, “I had pain in my right side, but I pitched through it. Today (the 24th), it got worse, so I excluded him.” “There is no problem on the MRI. However, it was so painful that I couldn’t sleep, so I expunged it. Once the pain subsides, I’ll be able to throw again,” he said, downplaying the injury.
However, further tests revealed an unexpected fracture in his ribs. At the time of his dismissal, it looked like he could return to play after 10 days of rest, but there was a reason he was in so much pain that he couldn’t sleep.
Uhm was initially expected to rehabilitate for four weeks. He was supposed to start training this weekend. However, the recovery is taking longer than expected and the bone is not expected to be fully attached until at least mid-October.
This is another reason for KT to finish the season in second place, one game ahead of third-place NC and looking for a direct playoff berth. The team will need to start the postseason as late as possible to see a healthy Uhm Sang-baek.
Lee said, “If he comes back, he won’t be able to pitch. We’ll use him in the bullpen at first,” Lee added.
Lee also gave an update on Choi Min-joon, who underwent Tommy John surgery in May. “He came to Wiz Park today,” Lee said, “Coach Je Chun-mo emphasized that he needs to build his lower body from now on. He said that if he balances his lower body now, he will have a proper pitching form when he enters the ITP (Individualized Pitching Program). I am doing well in my rehabilitation.”토토사이트
Meanwhile, KT’s starting lineup against Lotte starter Na Kyun-ahn is Kim Min-hyuk (right fielder), Hwang Jae-gyun (third baseman), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Park Byung-ho (first baseman), Anthony Alford (left fielder), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder), Kim Sang-soo (shortstop), and Oh Yoon-seok (second baseman). The starting pitcher is exclusionary.