“It was good to see the video.”
Kia Tigers' Na “Nasta” Sung-beom, 35, is finally back in action. It's been 40 days since he injured his hamstring on March 17 against the Gwangju KT Wiz in an exhibition game. He has been practicing batting, fielding, and baserunning at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju since March 19.
He started at No. 3 in the lineup and went 1-for-3 in the Futures League home game against Sangmu at Hampyeong Kia Challengers Field. He singled to center field in his first at-bat, flied out to center field in his second at-bat, and flied out to left field in his third at-bat. There were no hits or runs scored.
The Kia batting lineup is the strongest in the league even without Na. Lee Bum-ho doesn't want to rush him back too soon, as he also suffered a hamstring injury last fall that ended his season. A re-injury would be the most damaging thing for KIA.
Manager Lee Beom-ho said before the Jamsil LG Twins game on the 27th, “It was good to see Sung-beom's video. We'll discuss with the training staff to decide when he can return.” Kia will play a six-game home series against KT and Hanwha Eagles from the 30th. Na Sung-bum is expected to make his comeback as early as the 30th.
“I think KT is going to have Wes Benjamin (left-hander) on the 30th, so we're going to see a 사설토토 little bit more,” Lee said. If so, he could make his return on the first of next month against Gwangju KT. “I didn't want him to play a lot of Futures League games early.
Anyway, when he comes back, he won't be able to play much defense right away. It would be better to use him in the first team. “Even if I put him in the first team, he needs some time to prepare,” Lee said. At first, we will utilize him as a designated hitter or pinch-hitter. I'm also working on outfield defense and running, and if it's okay, I'll send him out to play defense. My body is ready,” he said.
Choi Hyung-woo has already increased his defense training. Lee thinks Na and Choi should share the designated hitter and defense duties. He has already conveyed this idea to Choi Hyung-woo, who responded that he would do anything for the team.
KT and Hanwha, who are in the bottom half of the table, could be out of luck. If Na Sung-bum comes back, the team could go with a four-hitter-6-hitter system, or they could move Kim Do-young to the second spot in the batting order and use Na Sung-bum in the third spot. The return of Na Sung-bum will definitely help KIA's batting lineup.
