LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop is planning to use rookie Kim Young-woo (20) as a "temporary finish" in 2025 in preparation for the absence of Jang Hyun-sik, who left due to injury.  안전놀이터

LG's closing pitcher Jang Hyun-sik was out of the game due to a ruptured ligament on his right foot. Fortunately, he has avoided major injury. "His injury is not as serious as I thought. He will be able to join the team as early as the opening game (March 22)," Yeom Kyung-yeop told reporters at Incheon International Airport on Sunday. 

Jang fell on his right foot while walking on the street on Wednesday, when he was participating in an Arizona camp. X-rays conducted there showed sprains on his right ankle. "Jang was diagnosed with a partial ligament tear on his right foot after undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and detailed examination after his return to Korea. Following the suggestion that he will be able to gradually undergo rehabilitation training in a week, he will start playing catch in two weeks. We expect that it will take four weeks for him to return to the team," the team said. 

The best-case scenario is that Jang will be listed in the opening entry. "If Jang takes the mound in the second half of the exhibition game (March 17-18 in the last two consecutive games), he will be able to join the opening game," manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said. "I think he will be able to return after 10 days at the latest (after the opening)." However, he added, "In the training part, we are planning to allow Jang to join the opening game. Still, we will not rush him back. It is important to throw well when he comes back." 

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop plans to test rookie Kim Young-woo as a closer through an exhibition game in Okinawa, Japan, just in case.

It is not common for a rookie pitcher to finish the game from the first year of joining the team. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, "Kim Taek-yeon (Doosan Bears) did it last year." 

Right-handed pitcher Kim Taek-yeon, who joined Doosan as the second overall pick in the first round last year, finished the game from the middle of the season and posted the most saves (19) among high school graduates. In 2024, he posted an ERA of 2.08 with three wins, two losses and 19 saves and four holds in 60 games. Fastballs with speeds of up to 155 kilometers per hour are a powerful weapon. Based on his stellar performance, he visited the Premier 12 national team of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). 

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, "Kim Young-woo has as much potential as Kim Taek-yeon. He also has a good mentality." Captain Park Hae-min also hinted, "Kim Young-woo's mentality stood out unexpectedly like a rookie." 

LG rookie pitcher Kim Young-woo throws a bullpen session at the Arizona Spring camp. Photo = Courtesy of the club

Kim Young-woo throws fast balls like Kim Taek-yeon. At the All-Star Game between high school and college held on June 6 last year, he pitched as the closing pitcher and recorded a maximum speed of 156 kilometers. "On the day Kim Young-woo threw a 156km/h ball, I also had blood pressure at the hospital," LG's general manager Cha Myung-seok said after naming Kim Young-woo as the 10th overall in the first round of the rookie draft in September last year. "Finally, our team has a pitcher who throws a fast ball over 150km/h," LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said. 

Kim impressed coach Yeom Kyung-yeop at his camp in Arizona, the U.S.A. On Tuesday, he had one hit and no run in one inning in his own Cheongbaek match against his seniors. The maximum speed is 151 kilometers per hour. "I don't care much about the speed limit, but I recorded a maximum speed of 153 kilometers in live pitching," Kim told reporters after returning home on Sunday. "I want to challenge the maximum speed of 160 kilometers per hour," Kim confidently said. 

"It's important how you experience success in the beginning. If you fail, you can skip it later (interim martial arts such as the pursuit team)," Yeom said. Even if the temporary closing test fails, it will be a good experience to pave the way for future growth. 

"I think it's too arrogant to throw in the first team this year. If I work hard, I think I'll have a good chance," Kim said. "My goal is to be permanently absent from the LG Twins (in the long run). I want to be a player who can take the mound constantly and make fans think that they won the game and watch it comfortably."