Everyone will find out for themselves next week if he’s going to the Asian Games or not.
NC Dinos left-handed ace Koo Chang-mo made it through a live pitching session. The schedule calls for him to pitch one inning in the Futures League against the Sangsung Commerce at Masan Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. If all goes well, he will be called up to the first team next week and pitch out of the bullpen.
On the morning of the 13th, Koo Chang-mo held a live pitching session at Masan Stadium, NC’s Futures League venue. He threw a total of 30 pitches, divided into two sessions of 15 pitches each, as announced by manager Kang Myung-ho the day before. He threw 17 fastballs, reaching a maximum of 140 kilometers. He also threw five sliders, six forkballs, and two curves to check his arm condition for each pitch.
After the live pitch, Koo said, “It’s been a long time since I’ve been on the mound. My arm didn’t have any problems, and I felt good overall,” he said, adding, “It was a good time to check my changeup and set position. My velocity is improving, and I’m confident that my pitching will improve as I play.”
All eyes will be on Koo Chang-mo to see if he can make it to the Asian Games. If he’s as healthy as we’ve seen him, the left-hander is more than capable of being a national ace. He’s certainly the best left-handed pitcher to follow in the footsteps of Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Yang Hyun-jong as a national left-handed ace. The problem is health. Health has always plagued him, and this year is no different.
If he’s throwing the ball with no problems, there’s no need to worry. We’re hoping that Koo Chang-mo can be the ace of the show in important games like Taiwan and the final, but with his current form, it’s unclear if he’ll be able to pitch more than an inning or two in a row, let alone start, or even pitch out of the bullpen.안전놀이터
In the midst of the debate over whether or not he should be selected, Koo Chang-mo was rather reticent. “I don’t think the Asian Games is something I can decide,” he said, “I just want to do everything I can in the position I’m given,” he added. “I want to prepare well and give back to the team after a long absence, and I will play healthy and confident baseball so as not to disappoint those who have been waiting for me,” he said.
On June 2, Koo scattered five pitches for the LG Twins in Jamsil and voluntarily left the game after complaining of discomfort in his left arm. He started playing catch in late August, nearly three months after being sidelined with a left forearm injury.
Given his rehabilitation schedule to date, it’s unlikely he’ll be able to pitch in the Asian Games. The team will have to decide if they want to use him out of the bullpen, so next week’s first-team pitching will be a showcase.