Doosan's Benjamin Makes Successful Return After 23 Days with 4 Scoreless Innings

Professional baseball Doosan Bears foreign ace Wes Benjamin, 33, has successfully completed his return match, easing the team's concerns over potential roster gaps ahead of the Asian Games.

Benjamin started yesterday's (September 10) home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, pitching 4 scoreless innings with 59 pitches, allowing 2 hits and 1 hit-by-pitch while striking out 7 batters.

Driven by Benjamin's stable pitching and Junior Severino's 3-RBI performance, Doosan defeated Kiwoom 5-0, snapping a two-game losing streak.

After the game, Benjamin said, "My heart was heavy while I was sidelined due to injury," adding, "I want to thank the training staff for taking care of me so I could focus entirely on my recovery."

"I focused on slowly building up my condition after my return," he said. "Thanks to catcher Yang Eui-ji's guidance, I was able to strike out 7 batters over 4 innings."

It was Benjamin's first time back on the mound in 23 days, following his appearance against the NC Dinos on August 18.

At the time, Benjamin, who recorded 5 innings and 3 runs (1 earned run), felt discomfort in his shoulder and underwent a medical examination. He was sidelined after being diagnosed with a micro-tear in his left subscapularis muscle.

Despite the long hiatus from live action, Benjamin faced the Kiwoom lineup with veteran composure.

After retiring the side in order in the top of the 1st inning, he faced a bases-loaded-like crisis in the 2nd with no outs after allowing consecutive hits, but managed to escape without giving up a run.

He retired the side in order in the 3rd with the help of 2 strikeouts, and in the 4th, after issuing a leadoff hit-by-pitch, he struck out the next three batters in a row.

Although his original pitch count limit was set at around 50 pitches, Benjamin threw 59 pitches until completing the 4th inning.

"I initially expected around 50 pitches, but I wanted to finish the 4th inning," he said. "I am grateful to the manager for trusting me until the end."

Doosan, currently 5th in the league, will face simultaneous roster gaps in both its starting rotation and lineup as Kwak Been, Choi Min-seok, and Park Jun-soon join the Asian Games national team on September 14.

As Doosan engages in a fierce race for ranking positions late in the regular season, the roles of foreign players such as Benjamin and Severino have become even more crucial.

In the Doosan lineup, which had recently suffered from a batting slump, Severino played the role of a solver by driving in 3 runs, including a opening solo home run.

Benjamin said, "Severino hit a huge home run that really took the weight off my shoulders," adding, "I am proud of him because I know how quietly and diligently he has prepared."

"Fortunately, my condition is good," he added. "I really missed the fans."

(Photo provided by Doosan Bears, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.