Unfortunately, Samsung, which was frustrated at the threshold of winning the Korean Series in 2024, had a blueprint to try again to win the 2025 championship by tying up pitchers' expectations to the fielders who showed clear growth in 2024. As there is not much time left for the veterans who are the main players of the team, 2025 was a big part of the club's long-term picture.메이저놀이터

Samsung's bold investment of a total of 7 billion won (6.37 million U.S. dollars) for four years on Choi Won-tae, who was selected as one of the biggest free agent players in the free agent market, demonstrates Samsung's commitment to 2025 as well. However, even before the start of the season, Samsung accepted the unfavorable factor of the departure of right-handed fireballer Kim Moo-shin (26), who has been the most anticipated resource in this year's bullpen. Although the injury does not appear to be significant enough to lead to surgery, it is difficult to guarantee a normal starting point.

According to the Samsung team, Kim returned to Korea on Wednesday. He was training at Samsung's spring camp in Okinawa, Japan. However, the team explained that he felt pain in his right elbow during the training session on Wednesday. After a local hospital examination, he was found to have damage to his flexor muscles in his right elbow.

He cannot continue to throw the ball in this state, and he chose to return home for faster and systematic rehabilitation at a time when the meaning of remaining in the camp has faded. According to the club, Kim Moo-shin will undergo a more precise examination at the club-designated hospital after returning home and then proceed with the rehabilitation program according to his findings.

It is not yet known how long he will be absent. The duration of rehabilitation programs is also expected to change depending on opinions of medical staff in Korea. It seems that he has avoided situations that may lead to ligament reconstruction surgery, but chances are high that he will be able to take a rest for the time being. As he is able to pitch again and improve his physical condition only after completing rehabilitation, chances are high that he will not be able to participate normally in the opening of the season scheduled for late March. Samsung, which expected Kim Moo-shin to perform well this year, is in a position to settle for avoiding the worst situation.

It is all the more regrettable that he prepared this season with strong enthusiasm. Kim, who had high expectations as a right-hander who can throw fast balls from an early age, was also a resource that made people sad that he could not burst his potential. After graduating from Cheonan Bukil High School and receiving Samsung's second round sixth round nomination in 2018, Kim did not have a clear place on the mound until 2022. However, he drew an upward trajectory in the military athletic unit and was recognized as the future of Samsung's bullpen after adapting after being discharged from the military.

Immediately after his discharge from the military, he struggled somewhat, but his ball power began to rise at the end of the season, and he made a strong effort to advance to the Korean Series by tying up the opponent's key batter, Austin Dean, in the playoffs. Although the team lost in the Korean Series, he continued his impressive performance, raising expectations for this season. Kim Moo-shin also changed his name before the season (former Kim Yoon-soo), expressing his will to be more motivated in his future baseball life, but unfortunately, he failed to complete the camp.

Kim Moo-shin's greatest strength is his heavy pitching capability. According to the data compiled by Track Man, which provides tracking data to nine KBO league teams, Kim's average speed on four-seam fastballs last year amounted to 154.3 kilometers per hour. On top of that, vertical movement is not bad either, but he also has the ability to press batters with fastballs. As it is his first camp after being discharged from the military, expectations are high that he can throw faster balls if he prepares well for spring.

Samsung's bullpen has a lot of experience due to its many veterans, but it has the disadvantage of lacking players who can throw fast balls. For this reason, Kim Moo-shin had strategic value. However, as the elbow injury put the brakes on him, it became important to rehabilitate as thoroughly as possible.

Meanwhile, infielder Yang Yang-geun (22) will also return to Korea early due to his injury. Yang, who joined Samsung in 2024, played in 76 Futures League matches in recognition of his good defense capability last year, and was called up to the first team at the end of the season to play in 16 Futures League matches. Although he is not an outstanding offensive player, he was selected as an infielder with high expectations due to his defense capability and position utilization.

However, he was found to have been hit in the face by a pitch during defense training on Wednesday and injured cartilage in his nose. Again, the injury hindered both batting and defense, and he took the flight home after judging that it would be better to receive treatment in Korea and recover quickly. It is a great misfortune for a player. Samsung, which had two injured players returning home early in the middle of the camp, now has to make more efforts to manage the injured.