Attention is focusing on whether LG Twins pitcher Jang Hyun-sik, who suffered an ankle injury, will be able to appear in the opening game.안전놀이터

Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop returned to Korea via Incheon International Airport on Saturday. He returned home after completing his spring camp in Arizona, the U.S., and Okinawa, Japan.

In an interview with reporters afterwards, he said, "Jang is playing catch. Tomorrow (June 6), head training coach Kim Yong-il will go to Icheon to check Jang's condition and schedule the game."

In November last year, the LG Twins acquired Jang Hyun-sik as a four-year contract worth 5.2 billion won (approx. Expectations were high on Jang as the team provided full coverage.

Jang Hyun-sik, who joined NC in the ninth place overall in the first round in 2013, was traded to KIA during the 2020 season, marking a turning point. He won the title of "Hold King" by recording 34 holds in the 2021 season, and last year, he contributed to KIA's overall championship by recording five wins, four losses and an average score of 3.94 with 16 holds in 75 games (75 ⅓ innings).

LG's closing pitcher Yoo Young-chan was put on the operating table due to an elbow injury after joining the national team at the Premier 12 tournament held in November last year. LG picked Jang Hyun-sik as its new closing pitcher after facing another unfavorable factor of leaving the team.

However, Jang suffered an ankle injury in mid-February at an Arizona camp. While walking, he tripped over his right foot. He underwent X-ray at a local hospital in the U.S., and was shown to have "no problem with his bones."

However, Jang Hyun-sik, who returned home immediately to make an accurate judgment, was diagnosed with partial rupture of the ligament outside the right foot's foot after undergoing MRI and detailed examination. After a detailed examination, LG said on the 22nd of last month, "Jang Hyun-sik can catch two weeks later through a gradual rehabilitation process, and expects four weeks until his return."

Two weeks have passed since Jang Hyun-sik was injured. He is currently in rehabilitation training at the LG Champions Park in Icheon, and he is said to be throwing the ball.

Coach Yeom explained, "Coach Kim Yong-il decided to call him after checking his physical condition and setting a schedule for when he will play in the game."

If the rehabilitation went well, the opening game is expected to be played. If not, we will manage it with some time.

"I think I will throw the ball at the end of the demonstration game. The pitching speed is important now. Still, the speed of the ball needs to be at least 145 kilometers. If the ball comes out to 143 kilometers, it's right to play more games," Yeom said. "If the speed exceeds 145 kilometers, it will come up to 148 kilometers or 150 kilometers in the season. Jang said, "I think we need to see the speed limit more than anything else. The speed limits the physical condition."