Injury Woes Force Lineup Overhaul for KT Wiz
The KT Wiz entered Game 3 of the Korean Series with a significantly altered roster, forced to sideline two regular players due to injuries sustained during the previous matchup. The series against the Samsung Lions was tied at 1-1 heading into Friday evening's contest at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, raising the stakes for every available player on the bench.
Right fielder Choi Won-jun was held out of the lineup due to swelling in his left thumb, an injury he suffered after crashing into a wall during Game 2. Manager Lee Kang-chul confirmed that while Choi would be available as a pinch hitter, he could not play defense, effectively removing him from the starting eight.
Compounding the issue, third baseman Heo Kyoung-min started on the bench due to chest spasms. Lee noted that Heo might be sent out later in the game if pinch-hitting options were needed in late innings, but he was not available for the initial lineup.
Strategic Adjustments and Veteran Returns
To accommodate these absences, Lee adjusted the lineup significantly. He moved Kim Min-hyuck and Ahn Hyun-min up a spot in the batting order to fill the gaps left by the injured players.
Kim Hyun-soo was placed third in the lineup ahead of cleanup hitter Sam Hilliard, creating a new middle-of-the-order dynamic for the Wiz.
The team also started veteran catcher Jang Sung-woo as designated hitter in the fifth spot. This marked Jang's first start of the series, providing a familiar face in the heart of the order.
Lee explained that Jang was chosen for the fifth spot because he has "some pop" and the team was playing in a small stadium. During the regular season, Jang hit 12 home runs in 76 games, offering power potential that the manager hoped to leverage against the Lions' pitching.
Kim Sang-su Returns to Infield
The return of Kim Sang-su provided some relief to the Wiz's infield options. Kim had sat out Game 2 due to a foot injury, but was welcomed back to the lineup for Game 3.
His presence helped stabilize the middle infield despite the loss of Heo Kyoung-min at third base. The team now relies on a reshaped batting order and strategic pinch-hitting decisions to navigate the tied series.
As the game approached, all eyes were on how Lee Kang-chul would manage his limited resources against a Samsung Lions team that had shown resilience in the first two games. The outcome of Game 3 could prove pivotal in determining the direction of the Korean Series.