Kim Do-young even posted an apology saying, "I'm sorry that it disappeared, it's completely my fault."
Kim Do-young even posted an apology saying, "I'm sorry that it disappeared, it's completely my fault."
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This is a huge negative development for the KIA Tigers. Kim Do-young (22), who won the MVP award last season, was diagnosed with a hamstring injury after just two at-bats in the opening game. For now, Kim is expected to miss the game for a while. The Kia team said it will undergo a re-examination. Kim eventually left a message of apology, saying, "I'm sorry."
Kim Do-young started as the second batter and third baseman in the home opener of the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League against NC at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 22nd, but was replaced after two at-bats.
Kim entered the batter's box at the bottom of the first inning with one out and no runners on the batter's box. Kim had a fly ball to the left field against NC`s starting pitcher Logan Allen to overcome his disappointment.
With KIA leading 1-0, there was no runner at the bottom of the third inning with one out. Kim entered the batter's box for the second time. In this case, Kim hit the third pitch with a ball count of 0-2 against Logan, and had a clean hit to the left. After rushing towards the first base, Kim seemed to be aiming for the second base, but returned home again.
However, he seemed to have a hamstring strain while turning to the first base. After returning to the base, Kim complained of pain in his hamstring area while clutching his thighs. Soon after, Kia's trainer came out to check Kim's condition. However, there were signs that Kim could no longer play. He was out as a substitute. Eventually, Yoon Do-hyun, a pinch runner, was deployed instead of Kim. Kia failed to take advantage of its scoring opportunity as its successor Na Sung-bum stepped down due to a double play against the shortstop.
"I felt pain in my left thigh right after Kim Do-young's substitution. I moved to Seonhan Hospital, the designated hospital for the team," a Kia official said. "We will know the exact injury after MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) examination."
Soon after, Kim Do-young's examination result was reported. "Kim Do-young was found to have damaged left hamstring after having an MRI examination at Good Hospital. We plan to conduct another checkup for accurate diagnosis. However, since tomorrow (23rd) is Sunday, the schedule for re-examination is still undecided. First of all, only the findings of hamstring damage have been found," a KIA official said.
For Kia, it is painful for Kim to leave the team in the early stages. As a driving force behind the team's victory last year, Kim Do-young, the MVP (best player), has shown stellar performance. Kim played in 141 games during the 2024 season, posting a batting average of 0.347 (189 hits in 544 at-bats), 38 homers, 109 RBIs, 143 runs and 40 steals (four failed attempts), and an on-base percentage of 0.647 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.067.
In the Korean Series, Kim enjoyed a combined victory by batting .235 (4 hits in 17 at-bats), five RBIs, one stolen base and five walks, including one homer. Eventually, Kim swept various trophies including KBO MVP and third baseman Golden Glove after the season ended.
After going through the Irvine and Okinawa spring camps in the U.S., Kim successfully completed her exhibition game schedule. She did not overdo it at the Okinawa camp and exhibition games, and only focused on the opening game to elevate her physical condition. After playing at bat for the first time in the first inning, however, she did not collide with anyone at bat in the second inning, but ended up with a hamstring injury. A hamstring injury requires treatment for several weeks to several months depending on the severity of the injury. KIA and its fans have to hope Kim gets better soon.
On the same evening, Kim said on her personal social media, "Hello, it's totally my fault. Thank you for worrying about my injury and supporting me." She then apologized, saying, "I'm sorry that I disappeared after one game. I'll be back soon. I'll make sure to come back." 바카라사이트
The head coach also sighed at Kim Do-young's unexpected injury. "Players must have felt a lot of pressure because it was the opening game, but they handled it well. I felt the power of the veterans. I also want to thank all the players for their hard work and the fans who responded with full attendance," Kia Tigers coach Lee Bum-ho said after the game. "I hope (Kim) Do-young recovers quickly."
Meanwhile, Kia faced a losing situation, trailing 1-2 until the eighth inning. James Nail, the first starting pitcher of Kia, pitched five scoreless innings, but Kwak Do-gyu and Jo Sang-woo, who took the mound in the sixth inning, faltered and allowed the team to come from behind to 1-2. However, it scored eight runs in a large number against the NC bullpen in the eighth inning, and finally secured its first win.