▲ SSG's Madris
The professional baseball team SSG Landers is parting ways with temporary foreign hitter Bligh Madris and will bring back their original foreign hitter Guillermo Heredia to the first-team roster on August 21.
Ahead of their away game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on August 16, SSG manager Lee Sung-yong stated, "Today is Madris's last game," adding, "Heredia is gradually improving his condition while playing in Futures (minor league) matches. He will join the team next Friday."
Heredia was sidelined after being diagnosed with a rotator cuff injury in his left shoulder on July 9.
Before his injury, he recorded a batting average of 0.282 (94 hits in 333 at-bats) with 15 home runs, 75 RBIs, 42 runs scored, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.798 across 84 games this season.
He has been building up his game fitness by playing in Futures League matches since August 12.
Replacement player Madris will play his farewell game today.
This decision was made as Heredia has recovered his physical condition and Madris fell short of expectations.
Until Heredia returns, Kim Sung-wook is scheduled to fill the vacancy.
After signing with SSG on July 16, Madris struggled in 16 appearances, posting a batting average of 0.150 (9 hits in 60 at-bats) with 3 home runs, 8 RBIs, 8 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.556.
There are also changes in the pitching staff.
Thomas Hatch, who had been pitching well by recording quality starts (starting pitchers throwing 6 or more innings with 3 or fewer earned runs) in 2 consecutive games, reported right shoulder pain and will be removed from the first-team roster on August 17.
Hatch was originally scheduled to start against the LG Twins on August 14, but could not pitch after feeling discomfort in his right shoulder right before the game.
Choi Min-jun, who hurriedly stepped in as a starter and borrowed Hatch's uniform at the time, pitched 5.2 innings allowing 2 hits, 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts with 2 runs.
Hatch is scheduled to undergo a detailed medical examination at a hospital on August 17, and Choi Min-jun will join the starting rotation in his place.
Manager Lee said, "Hatch mentioned that his condition was not good even while playing catch today," and added, "I am not exactly sure how it will turn out, but we must consider that it will not be easy for him to pitch right away."
Today's starting lineup for SSG was organized by hitting coach Lim Hoon.
SSG filled 8 positions with left-handed batters, excluding only the 8th-batter catcher Cho Hyung-woo.
Choi Ji-hoon, who has primarily been placed in the 6th and 7th batting orders this season, will start as the 2nd batter and center fielder.
Manager Lee explained, "Choi Ji-hoon has been showing good form recently, so the hitting coach suggested moving him up to the 2nd spot. I plan to trust the hitting coach and watch how today's lineup plays out," and added, "This is not specifically targeting LG starter Carlos Carrasco. As we put together the best possible lineup we could form, everyone except Cho Hyung-woo ended up being a left-handed batter."
(Photo: Provided by SSG Landers, Yonhap News)
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