After a successful rehabilitation appearance in the Futures League, “13.2 billion left-hander” Koo Chang-mo (NC) will spend three days with the first team in preparation for the Asian Games.
“We will enroll Koo Chang-mo in the first team roster on the 20th,” NC head coach Kang Myung-hyun told reporters before the team’s 13th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against Doosan at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul.
Koo started the game against KT Wiz in the 2023 Futures League at Iksan Stadium and pitched two innings of one-hit ball with two strikeouts and no walks. He threw 27 pitches, with a fastball top speed of 146 kilometers and an average of 144 kilometers. He maintained normal arm condition after the start and received a passing grade in his first appearance after rehabilitation.
“After throwing, I received a report that there was no abnormality. “I’m going to call him up tomorrow (Feb. 20) to see how he’s doing and check his physical condition. If possible, I will have him pitch a doubleheader.”
Koo is set to receive his first call-up to the national team for the Hangzhou Asian Games at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 23. He will have just three days to cram and get his body in shape for the Asian Games after his call-up on the 20th.
Kang said, “Koo Chang-mo’s position is in the bullpen. He can’t start because he doesn’t have enough pitches yet. He threw today, so it won’t be easy for him to start tomorrow,” Kang said. “We will use him as a bullpen and switch his position based on his pitch count. If he can throw about 80 pitches, he can start.”
Koo Chang-mo, who was in the first year of a 6+1 year multi-year contract worth up to 13.2 billion won, started against the Jamsil LG on June 2 and threw five pitches before voluntarily leaving the game.
The reason was an injury. After two medical examinations, he was diagnosed with a micro-injury to the flexor muscle between his elbow and wrist, and was given a three-week rehab assignment. He then traveled to the rehabilitation mecca of Iijima, Japan, for two weeks of treatment, but his condition worsened in late June with a stress fracture.
Luckily, after three months of long-term rehabilitation, Koo Chang-mo was able to regain her health. He pitched his first game in dramatic fashion just four days before he was due to be called up for the Asian Games.
After being called up on the 20th, Koo will pitch for the first team for three days before joining the national team on the 23rd. The best-case scenario that NC and Ryu had hoped for has become a reality.
Meanwhile, NC, which will face Doosan starter Jang Won-jun, has lined up its starting lineup as follows: Son Ah-seop (designated hitter), Park Min-woo (second base), Park Geon-woo (right field), Jason Martin (center field), Kwon Hee-dong (left field), Seo Ho-cheol (third base), Yoon Hyung-joon (first base), Kim Hyung-joon (catcher), and Kim Joo-won (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Eric Peddy.먹튀검증
Kang announced the starting rotation this week with Tanner Tully, Shin Min-hyuk, Choi Sung-young, and Lee Jae-hak following Peddie. “Normally, Peddie would be the starter, but we have a game against KIA next week, so I’ll decide based on this week’s performance,” he said.