Lions manager to lean on breakout pitcher as new closer in KBO postseason

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DAEGU, Oct. 25 (Yonhap) -- With his top closer out with an injury for the South Korean baseball postseason series, Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man said Sunday he will lean on a breakout left-hander in save situations.

The Lions were to host the Kia Tigers to begin their best-of-five Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason round Sunday at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu. But on the eve of the opener, the Lions announced their All-Star closer Kim Jae-yoon, who led the regular season with 35 saves, would be sidelined for up to two weeks due to an upper body injury.

Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man speaks before Game 1 of the second round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the Kia Tigers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in the southeastern city of Daegu on Oct. 25, 2026, in this photo provided by the Lions. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

Also off the postseason roster are two left-handed relievers Lee Seung-hyun and Baek Jung-hyun.

Park has his one last remaining lefty weapon in the bullpen in Lee Seung-min, who enjoyed his best regular season this year. The 26-year-old went 6-2 and set career highs with 23 holds, 74 appearances and 68 innings pitched. His 2.65 ERA was also the best mark of his six-year career.

"He is our most reliable guy out of the bullpen," Park said of Lee during his pregame media availability. "We will send him out in crucial spots in late innings. And depending on the game situation and the spot in the opposing lineup, we will deploy every option possible."

Park also had to scramble to put together his starting lineup. Outfielder Koo Ja-wook, the regular-season batting champion, is just coming back from a hamstring injury and will be limited to designated-hitting duties for now. This kept veteran designated hitter (DH) Choi Hyoung-woo, who is a defensive liability in the outfield at age 42, on the bench for Sunday's game.

"It makes a huge difference whether we have Koo Ja-wook in the lineup or not," Park said. "So it came down to whether Choi Hyoung-woo could play in the outfield. Defense is important in a postseason series, and so we elected to keep Ja-wook's bat in the lineup as DH and have someone else play in the outfield instead of Hyoung-woo."

Park admitted Choi may be forced to play in the outfield at some point in the series.

"We may use him as a pinch hitter when we are trailing, and it would be a waste if we only have him for one at-bat," the manager said. "In that case, he may have to take the field. We will see how things play out."

jeeho@yna.co.kr (END)

Lions manager to lean on breakout pitcher as new closer in KBO postseason

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大邱，10月25日（韩联社）——由于球队头号终结者因伤缺席韩国棒球季后赛系列赛，三星狮队主教练朴镇万周日表示，他将在救援局面下倚重一名表现突出的左投手。

原定于周日在韩国东南部城市大邱的大邱三星狮子公园球场举行的韩国棒球联赛（KBO）季后赛首轮比赛中，狮队将迎战起亚老虎队。然而，就在比赛前夕，狮队宣布他们的全明星终结者金宰允（常规赛35次救援成功领跑全队）因上身受伤将缺席长达两周的比赛。

2026年10月25日，在韩国棒球联赛季后赛第二轮第一场比赛前，三星狮队主教练朴镇万在韩国东南部城市大邱的大邱三星狮公园球场发表讲话。这张照片由三星狮队提供。（照片非卖品）（韩联社）

此外，两名左投手李承铉和白正铉也无缘季后赛名单。

朴智星牛棚里仅剩的左投手是李昇玟，他今年打出了职业生涯最佳常规赛表现。这位26岁的投手取得了6胜2负的战绩，并以23次救援成功、74次出场和68局投球局数刷新了个人职业生涯新高。他的2.65自责分率也是他六年职业生涯的最佳成绩。

“他是我们牛棚里最可靠的投手，”朴智星在赛前媒体见面会上谈到李时说。“我们会在比赛后段的关键时刻派他上场。根据比赛形势和对方打线的情况，我们会派出所有可能的投手。”

朴智星也不得不紧急调整首发阵容。常规赛打击王外野手具滋昱刚刚从腿筋伤势中恢复，目前只能担任指定打击。这使得42岁高龄、防守能力欠佳的老将指定打击崔炯宇只能在周日的比赛中坐在替补席上。

“具在旭是否在首发阵容中至关重要，”朴教练说道。“所以最终取决于崔亨宇能否胜任外野手的位置。防守在季后赛系列赛中非常重要，因此我们决定保留具在旭的打击能力，让他担任指定打击，并让其他人代替崔亨宇镇守外野。”

朴智星承认，崔志万可能在系列赛的某个阶段被迫担任外野手。

“我们可能会在落后的时候让他担任代打，如果只让他上场一次打击就太浪费了，”教练说。“那样的话，他可能就得上场守备了。我们看看情况再说。”

jeeho@yna.co.kr (完)

狮队主教练将在KBO季后赛中倚重这位爆发型投手担任新的终结者。