[Anchor]

One of the biggest variables for the professional baseball playoffs, which begin in three days, is whether Samsung's star batter Koo Ja-wook, currently recovering from an injury, will be able to play. He raised his batting form by hitting a multi-hit performance in the final intra-squad scrimmage today (October 22), and Samsung manager Park Jin-man hinted at utilizing him as a designated hitter.

Reporter Bae Jeonghun has the story.

[Reporter]

Koo Ja-wook, who had been sidelined since injuring his hamstring on September 30, showed a rapid recovery and was named to the starting lineup for the second intra-squad scrimmage today, following his appearance on October 19.

After smoothly completing batting and running drills before the game, he hit an extra-base RBI hit in the 3rd inning and stopped safely at first base without overexerting himself. He then added a single to right field in the 7th inning to record a multi-hit game.

Manager Park Jin-man appears to have solidified his intent to include Koo on the postseason roster.

[Park Jin-man / Manager, Samsung Lions : The key player seems to be Koo Ja-wook. Defense might be a bit difficult, and at best, Koo Ja-wook will step up as the designated hitter....]

If Koo can take on the starting designated hitter role as Manager Park hopes, it opens up the possibility for 43-year-old veteran Choi Hyeong-u to take the field as the left fielder.

Choi Hyeong-u, who appeared as a left fielder in 6 games this season and also played left field in the first intra-squad scrimmage, is determined to do whatever it takes for the team.

[Choi Hyeong-u / Outfielder, Samsung Lions : (Defense) I have to do it. Naturally, we have to go out if we are told to, so I am preparing hard for that.]

Kim Young-woong, the autumn clutch hitter who smashed 3 home runs in last year's playoffs and racked up 12 RBIs to tie the record for the most RBIs in a single postseason series, signaled a strong performance by hammering out 4 hits today, including a preemptive solo home run.

Tickets for today's intra-squad game, held on a weekday afternoon, sold out in 5 minutes, with some 7,100 fans showing up to cheer enthusiastically.

(Video by Hwang In-seok | Video Editing by Park Jeong-sam)