San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo has expressed his support for former Kiwoom Heroes teammate Ahn Woo-jin, who suffered a significant injury that will sideline him for another year.
Speaking to reporters on Tuesday before a home game against the Washington Nationals, Lee addressed the situation concerning the 25-year-old pitcher. He first noted that he would not comment on the controversy surrounding the injury, stating, “Both Woo-jin and the club have released their positions, so I have nothing to add.”
Ahn, who is currently completing his mandatory military service, sustained a right shoulder injury after falling during a defensive drill. The incident occurred after he had already pitched an inning in an intrasquad game. This new injury requires surgery and comes as Ahn was already rehabilitating from Tommy John surgery, pushing his expected return back by at least another year. The injury has sparked controversy amid questions over whether the coaching staff’s training regimen was excessively demanding.
Lee, who played with Ahn at Kiwoom, shared his message of consolation for his former teammate.
“I’ve watched from the side how hard Woo-jin worked to get this far, through surgery and his military service, and I know how much he was looking forward to his return,” Lee said. “It’s truly unfortunate that this happened. I told him to use this time to focus solely on baseball, just as he has been doing, and to think about the game.”
Ahn’s extended absence is a major blow not only to his club but also to the Korean national team. Despite a past school violence controversy, his status as one of Korea’s top pitchers made him a strong candidate for the upcoming World Baseball Classic. This latest setback effectively removes him from consideration.
When asked how Ahn’s injury affects the national team’s “strongest possible” roster—a standard he had previously advocated for—Lee deferred.
“Now is not the time to think about the WBC,” he stated. “The association is responsible for forming the team. I don’t know if I’ll be selected myself. When the time comes, Korea’s best players will be gathered, and everyone will have to work hard within the given situation.”
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