Samsung’s quest for the Jamsil Winning Series has been punctured again. Some of the main players are missing. Kim Hyun-jun (21) and Kang Kang-ul (32) are out.

Before the final game of the three-game midweek series against Doosan in the 2023 KBO League regular season at Jamsil Stadium on Friday, manager Park Jin-man said, “Kim Hyun-jun is feeling unwell. His fever has gone up a lot. I heard that the flu is an epidemic these days. Strong-ul has gallbladder symptoms. It’s a tough situation. We have to use our resources to the fullest.”

Kim Hyun-jun had a solid day offensively, going 1-for-2 with a walk and a run scored. He made his first appearance with the first team on April 19 after undergoing surgery for a fractured fibula. In five games, he is batting .250 with one home run, one RBI, three runs scored and a .686 OPS.

“I’m not feeling great,” he said. However, in the previous game, he had made a hustle play while on third base on a short throw home. He looks like a “charge leader.” There is no Kim Hyun-jun.

Kang Kang-wool is also missing. He’s not a great hitter, with a .167 batting average and .429 OPS this season. However, he’s been great on defense. In the previous game, he had one hit, one RBI, one walk, and one run scored. He even picked up a pushing double to turn a 1-0 game into a 2-0 game.

On this day, he was scratched from the 메이저놀이터 lineup due to gallbladder symptoms. His sudden illness left a gap at third base. Gong Min-kyu will be the starting third baseman.

Samsung lost Kim Ji-chan to a hamstring strain the day before. A day later, they lost Kim Hyun-jun and Kang Kang-ul. This is a huge setback for the team. After dropping the first game of the three-game series, they won the previous day. We’re looking for a win. They will have to play without their main power.

Instead, Kim Dong-jin was called up to the first team for the first time this season. The day before, manager Park Jin-man had hinted at a call-up, and it happened. He played in two games for the Futures. He went 1-for-4 with one hit, two walks, and two strikeouts. His OPS is 0.625. Gong Min-gyu will play third base and Yoon Jung-bin will play center field.

Manager Park Jin-man said, “We are lacking in the infield right now. For team reasons, he should go out when he is fit. Kim Dong-jin also participated in the final camp and spring training. He prepared well. He has enough ability. There are some sensory concerns, but he needs to play.”

“As for Kim Ji-chan, it’s not a serious condition, we just gave him a few days off. We took him off with the plan to bring him back in 10 days. It’s not rehabilitation, it’s just rest.”

Samsung’s lineup for the game was Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop), Kim Dong-jin (second baseman), Koo Ja-uk (right fielder), Jose Pirela (left fielder), Kang Min-ho (catcher), Oh Jae-il (first baseman), Kim Tae-gun (designated hitter), Gong Min-gyu (third baseman), and Yoon Jung-bin (center fielder). The starting pitcher is Baek Jeong-hyun.

Manager Park Jin-man said, “Oh Jae-il showed good hitting in the eighth inning yesterday. He hit long balls and produced RBIs. We moved him up to six today. I believe we’ll get into a good rhythm.”