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Doosan Bears’ ‘domestic ace’ Kwak Bin (24)’s comeback clock is ticking fast.
Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop reported on Kwak Bin, who was recently canceled from the first team entry due to back pain ahead of the first game of the 2023 KBO League Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 15th.
Coach Lee said, ahead of the KIA Tigers game on the 13th, “Kwakbin pitched in the bullpen on the 12th, and after one more pitching in the bullpen, he plans to digest the actual mound on the 17th.” However, ahead of the Gocheok Kiwoom match on the 16th, he said, “The schedule has been delayed a little, so I plan to go to the actual game this coming weekend.” If he doesn’t have back pain, he suggested he might be in the first team the very next week (fourth week in May). He will return three to four days earlier than originally expected.
Kwak Bin showed his monthly MVP (Most Valuable Player) performance in April. In the 5 games he started, he pitched well, recording 3 wins and 1 loss with an earned run average of 0.88. However, he recorded the most runs (6 points) this season against the LG Twins on the 7th, his first appearance in May. He conceded more runs in this one game than he conceded in his previous five games. Eventually, it turned out that there was a problem with his back.
At the time, it was difficult to manage the condition because one game was postponed due to rain. His earned run average soared to 2.53, but he was given a chance to rest and regroup.
Doosan built a solid starting lineup with foreign pitchers Raul Alcantara and Kwak Bin, Choi Won-joon, who is competing for pride for the position of a native ace, and Kim Dong-ju, a promising player in the third year, showing good performances throughout. As if ridiculing the undervaluation before the opening, it is maintaining the middle of the league. If Gwak Bin returns, it is expected that he will have a stronger mound power.
Meanwhile, Doosan will present Lee Won-jae, a rookie left-handed pitcher in his second year, as the starting pitcher in the second game of Kiwoom today (17th). It is a replacement selection for Dylan Pye, who left due to a right elbow medial flexor sprain. Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop said, “I thought he was a player to be used someday. The opportunity came sooner than expected.” Then, coach Lee said, “We will see if (alternative selection) will end in one turn or if we can see more.”
