A major blow has hit the professional baseball team Samsung Lions, just ahead of the postseason fall baseball.

Koo Ja-wook, the team captain and key hitter leading the league in batting average, has been sidelined due to a hamstring injury in his left rear thigh.

The Samsung club announced on October 1, "Following a detailed medical examination at the hospital, Koo Ja-wook was diagnosed with 0.5 to 1 cm of damage to his left posterior thigh muscle." The club added, "We plan to proceed with injection therapy first, followed by a follow-up examination including an MRI after two weeks to establish a future schedule."

Koo injured his leg while running the bases during a home game against the Hanwha Eagles held the previous day at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu.

This season, Koo has spearheaded the team's offense by playing in 114 games, recording a batting average of 0.371, 156 hits, 15 home runs, 102 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.039.

He had been enjoying the best season of his career, firmly maintaining the top spot in the league batting average among hitters who met the required plate appearances.

With treatment, recovery, and re-examination taking at least two weeks, it has become practically difficult for Koo to appear in the remaining regular-season games.

Samsung now faces a major dilemma with the absence of its core powerhouse and captain ahead of the postseason stage.

(Photo: Yonhap News)