“Koo Chang-mo to use 1st team bullpen next week if no major discomfort”…Kang Myung-hyun and Ryu Joong-il both laughing
Chang-Mo Koo (26-NC Dinos) made his first live pitch since his injury and started his comeback.
On the 13th, he pitched live at Masan Stadium. He threw 30 pitches, including a four-seam fastball (17), forkball (6), slider (5), and curveball (2), and his fastball reached 140 kilometers per hour.메이저놀이터
On June 2, Koo made a start against the LG Twins in Jamsil and left the mound after facing only one batter. He was later diagnosed with a fatigue fracture of the ulna in his left arm. At the time, he was told he needed three weeks of rest, but he never recovered. It had been three months since he left the mound.
Koo’s departure is not only a blow to NC, but also to the national team as they prepare for international competitions later this month. The team for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (to be held in 2023) is set to convene on March 23 and begin training immediately afterward. Koo Chang-mo, who was named to the roster, has less than 10 days to improve his physical condition.
The good news is that he was able to adjust his condition by pitching live that day. He has already proven his ability to deliver pitches and manage games, so if he can return healthy, both NC coach Kang In-hwa and Asian Games team manager Ryu Jung-il could have something to smile about.
Kang met with reporters before his team’s game against the KT Wiz in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Changwon NC Park on Wednesday and talked about Koo Chang-mo, who pitched live that day.
The manager said, “Koo Chang-mo pitched two sets of 15 pitches live today. “I don’t think the fastball means much right now. It’s around 140,” he said. “He’ll pitch less than 30 pitches in one inning in the Futures League (against Masan Commerce) this Saturday (16). If there is no discomfort or abnormality in that game, he will join the first team roster next week and start as a bullpen pitcher.”
Kang spoke with Koo Chang-mo and exchanged opinions. “I talked to him after he pitched and he said, ‘I feel good. He said, ‘I don’t have any discomfort. It’s true that I’m worried that he’s coming back quickly, but he’s motivated and he said, ‘I’m fine,’ so we’ll see when he plays.”
Meanwhile, after the live pitch, Koo Chang-mo said through the club, “It was my first live pitch since my injury, so I stepped on the mound for a long time. My arm didn’t have any problems, and I felt good overall. I was able to check my changeup and set position. My velocity is improving, and I’m confident that my pitches will improve as I continue to play.”
“I don’t think I can control the Asian Games, so I want to do everything I can in the position I’m given. I want to prepare well until the end and repay the team for my long absence. I will play healthy and confident baseball so that I don’t disappoint those who have been waiting for me.” He concluded.