He disappeared in the second division, but Kang Jin-sung was released, and Kim Dong-yeop survived. Why?

Aug 31, 2025

Sportschosun DB

Does Kim Dongyeop survive?

Kiwoom Heroes organized the team as announced. However, the joys and sorrows of former and veteran players were mixed.

Kiwoom requested KBO to announce waivers for pitcher Jang Pil-joon and infielder Kang Jin-sung on the 31st. It means to release it.

The release of Jang had been foreseen. It was revealed that Jang Pil-joon first asked the club to release him at the end of the first half. Kiwoom embraced Jang Pil-joon, who was released from the Samsung Lions last year. It was based on the judgment that he could complete his rehabilitation and throw the game in April or May after elbow surgery. Medical tests were also conducted. However, even after that period, Jang Pil-joon did not have a real game in the second division, let alone in the first division. There is no major medical problem, because I felt elbow pain when a player tried to throw it in practice.

Jang Pil-joon said he felt burdened by the situation of continuing to receive treatment while not helping the team, and that he wanted to focus on personal treatment without being a member of his team, and he first talked about releasing it to the club. The club also considered Jang Pil-joon and eventually asked for a waiver disclosure.

Photo provided by Kium Heroes

In fact, Kang Jin-sung, Kim Dong-yeop, and Oh Sun-jin, who came in with Jang Pil-jun, were in the same situation. With everyone having to leave after losing their position on their former team, they signed a one-year contract with Kiwoom for not much annual salary. In fact, it could have been the last challenge in baseball life. Kiwoom, which has weak main player power, could be a land of opportunity for them.

However, without completing a season, Kang Jin-seong and Jang Pil-joon were able to pack up. Kang Jin-seong disappeared after playing in six games in April. He also had a poor batting average of around 10% in the second division, and there was no record of playing in any games in August after his last appearance in the game on July 31. It can be assumed that the club has made a completely out-of-field decision.

While Oh Sun-jin is performing like an altoran in the first team, why was Kim Dong-yeop not included in the list. Kim Dong-yeop also played only nine games in the first team this season. Like Kang Jin-seong, he couldn't go to the second division game in August. Kim Dong-yeop is a designated hitter position, but rookie Yeom Seung-won, who returned from elbow surgery, has yet to defend, so he has lost his position as a designated hitter in the second division.

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But Kim Dong-yeop survived. First of all, Kim Dong-yeop's defensive position is ambiguous, but he still has a long shot that goes over if he gets caught. He was in good condition in this year's spring camp and was scheduled to be used as a designated hitter, but the season was twisted due to an unexpected fracture in the exhibition game. The club may have taken this into account.

However, it does not completely save the possibility of renewing the contract next season. After the end of the season, the clubs will organize their squads once more. It may be included in the list at that time. Until then, you have to show your presence in games or training to increase the possibility of renewing your contract.

Meanwhile, Kiwoom also requested infielder Lee Myung-ki to cancel the training player.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.