Manager Hong Won-ki replaced Puig. What does it mean?

May 20, 2025

Manager Hong Won-ki replaced Puig. What does it mean?
Dusan-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 22nd. Kiwoom won 5-4 with a sweat. Director Hong Won-ki is greeting his fans. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.4.22/



"Shoulder injuries were not the main reason."

Kiwoom Heroes head coach Hong Won-ki explained the background of the foreign player replacement process himself.

Coach Hong met with reporters ahead of the first of three consecutive games during the week against the Samsung Lions at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 20th. On this day, there are many questions about coach Hong.




Kiwoom officially announced the recruitment of foreign pitcher Alcantara on the 19th, a day earlier. And decided to remove Puig. Kiwoom had two foreign hitters this season, not two foreign pitchers, but failed due to the sluggish performance of two Puig and Cadines, and eventually brought pitcher Alcantara.

Coach Hong said "It's quick to think it's too late. Change was needed before it was too late"I explained the reason for the replacement.

What are you most curious about. Why was it Puig, not Cardine's. Both of them were so sluggish that it was hard to tell the difference. I was curious about the background of the choice. After the waiver was announced on the 19th, he posted that he was unable to perform 100% due to Puig's left shoulder injury, which was considered the main reason. Puig was placed on the injured list in late April after injuring his left shoulder during a sliding return at first base. After that, he returned to the game after a recovery process. However, his condition was not complete, and he expressed his intention to continue treatment even when he returned to his home in LA, USA.




Manager Hong Won-ki replaced Puig. What does it mean?
Dusan-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 23rd. Lim Ji-yeol at bat in the bottom of the second inning with one out and a runner on first base. Puig, the first baseman, injured his shoulder while going back to the check ball. The trainer is checking the condition. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.4.23/
However, when asked about Puig's shoulder injury, Hong said, `That is not the main cause of the replacement. The decision was made in a number of complex judgments." Then "There was a sufficient period of treatment after the injury. He said there was no big problem when he attacked, and he expressed his opinion that there was nothing worse in the training part. I personally find it hard to agree that Puig was replaced because of injuries", he explained.

Coach Hong said, "Even in 2022, it was not good until May, but it showed a steep rise. I expected that this year, but there was no sign of change at all. The decision was taken in consideration of these aspects,' he added. This means that it is a replacement focused on skills rather than injuries.

At the same time, director Hong said, `It's heartbreaking to say goodbye to someone. But a professional has to approach it from a business perspective," he stressed.




As for Kadinez, who succeeded in staying, Hong said, `I hope his active offense will be revived before he goes on maternity leave. There is room for change in the offensive indicators that were not good. That's the factor behind the stay." Regarding what some say is a `hometown report,' Hong said, `It's the same difficulties that foreign players face. If you're a professional player, you have to overcome that" expressed his conviction. Cardinez's family is due to enter the country in June.

On the other hand, Hong said, `I think it was a bold challenge to strengthen what we were weak in, rather than success or failure," he said of his thoughts.



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.