LG Twins foreign pitcher Adam Plutko (32) has been finalized for a return.
“Plutko pitched in the bullpen yesterday (Oct. 23) and was told that everything is fine,” LG manager Yoon Kyung-yeop said at the home game against the Jamsil Hanwha Eagles on Oct. 24. He will move to the second team, throw in practice games, and start the first team game on October 2.” LG’s next game is scheduled for October 2 against the KT Wiz in Suwon.
Plutko was removed from the first team roster on March 29 due to a hip problem. Diagnosed as needing about a month of rehabilitation, he recently recovered and threw out of the bullpen at Jamsil Stadium on March 23 after the training staff said there were no major issues. He threw 26 pitches, and the next day, no major problems were found, allowing him to begin full-scale preparations for his return.
Yoon said, “Plutko is very careful and cautious with his approach. It was reported that he had no problem throwing the ball in training, and I, as the coach, spoke to him directly. We’re hoping he’ll prepare well and show a good performance.”
LG is on track to win the regular season title. With a small gap between them and second place, a 5 percent win rate in the remaining games would be enough to win the pennant race and advance to the Korean Series for the first time in 29 years. However, the team will need Plutko to return to form if they are to challenge for the overall title. Plutko, who was the de facto No. 1 starter before his injury, will need to not only stay healthy, but also regain his potency. In 21 starts this year, Plutko is 11-3 with a 2.41 ERA.토토사이트
Last year, Plutko had a great regular season but fell short of expectations in the postseason (PS). After going 15-5 with a 2.39 ERA in the regular season, injuries ended the pennant race early and prepared him for the PS. Starting Game 2 of the playoffs against the Kiwoom Heroes, he struggled, giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits in 1.2 innings, and LG failed to advance to the Korean Series. Recognizing this, the LG coaching staff is moving forward with a plan to give Plutko a chance to prove himself in the Korean Series, unlike last year.