NC Dinos Koo Chang-mo will be on the mound instead of the bullpen for the first time in about 100 days.
NC coach Kang In-kwon met with reporters at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 12th and said, “Goo Chang-mo will be pitching live tomorrow (13th).”메이저놀이터
Koo Chang-mo plans to check his physical condition ahead of his return to action by performing live pitching for about 2 innings with 15 pitches each at Masan Baseball Stadium instead of Changwon NC Park.
On June 2nd, against the LG Twins in Jamsil, Koo Chang-mo’s arm was in trouble again. Koo Chang-mo, who started the game against LG on this day, was replaced after 5 pitches after complaining of discomfort in his left forearm. Afterwards, Koo Chang-mo concentrated on his rehabilitation process, including long toss and bullpen pitching. Although it wasn’t an actual game, he was on the mound for the first time since his injury.
He was scheduled to take up a starting position at this year’s Hangzhou Asian Games, but when he, who had already suffered several injuries, suffered another arm injury, discussions arose about his replacement.
Was it to put this to rest? Koo Chang-mo visited Iijima Osteopathic Clinic in Japan and worked on his rehabilitation, but his return schedule was increasingly delayed. The first half of the season was announced in late June, and even though it was mid-September, actual pitching had not yet begun.
The head coach, who watched Koo Chang-mo’s injury, rehabilitation, return, and injury from the sidelines, is cautious. NC coach Kang In-kwon said, “I think we will have to try live pitching tomorrow, receive a report, look at his condition and fastball speed, look up various pitching data, and then think about his future return schedule.”
Bullpen pitching focuses on managing pitching condition and mood rather than velocity. However, live pitching is literally preparation for actual practice, such as checking pitch strength and pain. The restraint must be as good as in real life. Coach Kang repeatedly revealed his cautious intentions, saying, “When throwing at 70-80% intensity, we need to check whether there is any discomfort in the injured area.”
The Asian Games national team led by coach Ryu Joong-il will be called up on the 23rd. However, they are delaying confirming their entry into the competition until the last minute while monitoring the physical condition of injured players, including Koo Chang-mo.
Coach Kang said, “The team and players are really desperate.” A ‘healthy’ Koo Chang-mo is expected to succeed Ryu Kim-yang as the left-handed ace of the KBO League, but the premise is very difficult.