“He’s become a part of the starting rotation minus five.”
Samsung manager Park Jin-man was pleased with Choi Chae-heung’s first pitching start back from military service.
Choi threw 92 pitches in 5 1/3 innings against Jamsil LG on Nov. 13, allowing three hits, two walks and no runs while striking out two. He worked out of two bases-loaded jams without allowing an earned run. He was removed from the game with a 1-0 lead, but the tying run tied the game.
Manager Park Jin-man commented on Choi’s pitching the day before at Jamsil Stadium, saying, “I thought he was just talking, but he’s not just a fifth starter, he’s part of the starting rotation. It would have been a burden for the first game, but I didn’t just talk about it, but I saw the pitching content very well.”
“I think my command has improved. I didn’t have as many balls and strikes yesterday. I threw balls for strikes and strikes for balls. I feel confident on the mound. I think it’s because I’ve been eating army food for a year and a half,” he said with a laugh.
“I threw hard as Min-ho signed, and everyone said I did a good job, so I think I did a good job,” Choi said modestly. “I was nervous because it was my first start, so I didn’t know what I was doing until the third inning, and then I relaxed a little bit from the fourth inning, but I focused hard,” he explained.
After four days of rest, Choi will start again on April 18 against Suwon KT. “He had to pitch in Sunday’s game, so I replaced him within 100 pitches,” Park said. 안전놀이터
Samsung will return Won Tae-in next week after he was scratched from the first team roster due to back pain. The starting rotation of Buchanan, Suarez, Baek, Jung-hyun Paik, and Won Tae-in Choi Chae-heung will provide a stable starting lineup.