adminThe fear is realized. The LG Twins will have to operate their starting rotation without foreign pitcher Adam Plutko for the foreseeable future.
LG manager Yoon Kyung-yeop explained Plutko’s current status before the team’s 11th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League season against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Monday was canceled due to rain.
Earlier, Plutko was removed from the mound after giving up one run on six hits in four innings with three walks and three strikeouts in his start against the Changwon NC Dinos on April 26. The reason was discomfort in his left adductor (inner thigh muscle), but after a medical examination, he was diagnosed with a ‘left pelvic bone contusion’. He is expected to be out four to five weeks.
Plutko returned from more than two weeks on the disabled list last month to rest before the end of the first half, but after one start, he was sidelined in late July with cold symptoms and a high fever. Shortly thereafter, he was diagnosed with COVID-19, further delaying his return.
The plan was for Plutko to stay in the rotation for the rest of the season, but the injury derailed LG’s plans. “I don’t think Plutko will be able to play at the end of the season,” said coach Yeom Kyung-yeop, “but it can’t be helped. The regular season doesn’t always go the way you think it will. We’ll have to take it one game at a time under the given conditions.”
Looking back, LG also had to deal with Plutko’s heartburn at the end of the season last year. Plutko started against the Incheon SSG Landers on September 25, but was replaced after facing only one batter due to gallbladder symptoms, and then prepared for fall baseball without making an actual appearance. He didn’t play in any scrimmages, and he was tested with bullpen pitches and live pitches before heading straight into the postseason.
In the end, Plutko was pulled from the game against Kiwoom Heroes in the second round of the playoffs after struggling with 1⅔ innings of work, giving up six runs (four earned) on eight hits with one walk and one strikeout, and LG, who had won the first game to take a commanding lead, lost the game to Kiwoom. In the end, it’s safe to say that Plutko’s poor performance changed the course of the series, and it was a bit of a disappointment for LG.
Nevertheless, LG decided to stick with Plutko for another season after the postseason. His contributions in the regular season couldn’t be ignored, and a repeat of the same situation at a similar time of year would only increase LG’s concerns.
At the earliest, Plutko’s return is expected in late September or early October. Forgetting about Plutko for a while, LG will turn to left-hander Kim Yun-sik to fill his void. After struggling in the first team this season, going 3-4 with a 5.29 ERA in 11 games and 49⅓ innings, he hasn’t pitched in the first team in over two months, ending on June 8 against the Gochuk Kiwoom Heroes. After taking some time to recuperate in the second team, he has been pitching in the Futures League since late last month. In his most recent appearance, on March 23 against the Sangsang (Armed Forces Athletic Corps), he pitched three innings of one-hit ball with three strikeouts and no runs.메이저사이트
Coach Yeom Kyung-yup said, “Kim Yun-sik will do well. I think he’s getting better. We had enough time to prepare.” “We prepared alternatives just in case. We were preparing for the things that the team needs to prepare for, so we have to replace them. At the end of the day, what those pitchers do when they come in is the difference between having a gap and not having a gap.” With the goal of challenging for the top, will LG be able to overcome the current crisis?