Yang Hyun-jong (36) of the KIA Tigers will return after recharging himself. He will start the 2024 professional baseball game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 29th. He was excluded from the entry after showing symptoms of arm numbness during the fifth inning against the LG Twins on the 18th. CT scan revealed he was diagnosed with accumulated elbow fatigue. 밤알바

Yang displayed strong commitment to push ahead with his next outing, but coach Lee Bum-ho persuaded him to let him take a 10-day rest. Considering that he pitched close to 100 innings and was not able to rest, Yang gave consideration to taking a half-forced break. In reality, he took one off. His Super Match with Ryu Hyun-jin of the Hanwha Eagles ended in failure on Sunday.  

Kia, which is making a comeback, is in an unusual state. It has had one draw and three losses in four matches this week. Second-ranked groups, including Samsung and LG, have also maintained their position by 1.5 games due to lack of performance, but signs are unsettling. At the match against Lotte at Sajik on Saturday, the team failed to maintain its 14-1 lead, and suffered upset, resulting in a 15-15 draw. Ace James Nail allowed nine points, providing an excuse for upsetting the team. 

Kia could not overcome the aftereffects and lost to Lotte for two consecutive games. The match against Kiwoom in Gwangju on Friday also humiliated the team by allowing 10 runs in the third inning. Starter Lim Ki-young failed to endure the second inning, and Kim Geon-guk, who followed, suddenly fell into trouble in the third inning, allowing 10 runs. Moreover, defenders' errors continued, and the team was under fire for its performance that was uncharacteristic of the leader.  

Closing pitcher Jung Hae-young finished the first half early due to shoulder inflammation. Unlike in the beginning of the season, all the must-win pitchers fell into a slump and suffered frequent come-from-behind defeats. Starting pitcher Yoon Young-cheol, who had regained stability, also failed to overcome the atmosphere of resignation on the 26th. In this situation, Lee Woo-sung, the main hitter at the first baseman who is trying to play full time, left due to damage to his hamstring tendon. Na Sung-beom also felt a knee abnormality while batting on the 28th. 

This is the biggest crisis since the season opened. The mood of the team has also subsided. Yang will naturally feel heavy burden on his team to take the mound on Tuesday. He will seek his seventh win in this season and 175 wins in total. He is expected to display stable performance within three runs in six innings. Expectations are high more than ever for an ace to pull off consecutive losses. 

Kiwoom's batters are exploding. He has had double-digit hits in recent four consecutive games. He has transformed himself into a "big bang" hitter with 59 hits and 46 points in four games. Leadoff hitter Lee Ju-hyung, Dawson, Kim Hye-sung, Song Seong-moon, and Choi Joo-hwan have displayed robust hitting performance, while lower-order hitters have also improved performance. Kia did not have Lee Woo-sung, but Kim Sun-bin has made a comeback. Most important of all, the rebound of No. 4 Choi Hyung-woo, who had only one hit in 16 times at bat this week, is another key factor.