The second half of the year → Lee Eui-ri is coming back! Lee Bum-ho's second-place KIA will be stronger in the second half! Starting plate on the 9th → Ready to play with the start of the second half

Jul 06, 2025

KIA 김도영. Sports Chosun DB

He's strong in fighting with his 'gum'. 'The main pillars' are still getting ready to launch.

KIA Tigers' Lee Eui-ri's return is imminent. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho, who met at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 6th, said "Lee Eui-ri is scheduled to start against the NC Dinos (Masan) on the 9th." If there is no abnormality, he will take the mound at the beginning of the second half of the season.

Currently, KIA is playing the season without key players such as Na Sung-bum, Kim Do-young and Kim Sun-bin. Nevertheless, it has already overtaken the Lotte Giants and LG Twins to rise to second place.

The second half adds strength. In particular, Lee Eui-ri will join the selection team.

Lee Eui-ri was diagnosed with ligament damage in his left elbow in June last year and was out of the season after opting for Tommy John (exchange of the inner ligament of the elbow, reconstruction surgery). Originally, Lee Eui-ri wanted rehabilitation, but the club recommended surgery to receive bone fragment removal. He has already lived with elbow pain since joining the team.

KIA 김도영. Sports Chosun DB

Although he passed the first round of the Armed Forces Sports Unit last year, he has not participated in the second test and has devoted himself to rehabilitation.

After a long rehabilitation, his return is finally imminent. He played two innings in the Doosan Bears' second-tier game in the Futures League on June 22 and three ⅓ in the SSG Landers' second-tier game on June 27.

Manager Lee Bum-ho explained, "'Lee Eui-ri is going to throw 75 pitches in the real game and add 15 bullpen pitching to fill 90 pitches' and "'If his condition is good, he is going to play four consecutive games against the NC Dinos at the start of the second half.'"

As he has undergone long rehabilitation, from Lee Eui-ri's point of view, it may take time to digest a stable rotation. Therefore, KIA will give James Nail, Adam Oler, Yang Hyun-jong, and Kim Do-hyun in the second half of the year, adding Yoon Young-chul and Lee Eui-ri to give them enough rest to turn the sixth starter.

Director Lee Bum-ho said, `There should be a report that it was done without difficulty. I'll make sure to check the status and set a date for the sorties," he stressed.

KIA 김도영. Sports Chosun DB

Regarding KIA's recent rise, "I've been surprised these days. "I'm playing around, so it's a good direction." "The ranking is determined only when the season is over." I don't care about the ranking before that. I hope the players will enjoy playing baseball on their own and do their best day by day.

He also expressed his intention to focus on himself rather than paying attention to other teams. Coach Lee Bum-ho said, `I didn't watch Daegu game after yesterday's game"He also said, "Isn't it the most important to watch only one game and do your best every game?"

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.