KT Wiz’s key outfielder Kang Baek-ho (24) has rejoined the first team in time for a three-game series against the first-place LG Twins.

Kang Baek-ho will be a substitute for the 2023 KBO home game against LG at Katwiz Park in Suwon on May 5.

“We’ll use him as a substitute depending on the situation,” KT manager Lee Kang-cheol said in a pregame interview, adding, “We don’t plan to use him as a starter yet.”

“He’s recovered to some extent, but we’ll see how he performs in first-team matches before deciding (on his future),” he added.

Kang Baek-ho has been up and down this season, bouncing between the first and second teams since June.

After being dropped from the first team in late July, he played in the Futures League (second team) on July 1 and returned to the first team on the same day.

He warmed up with normal pre-match training.

After three consecutive triple-digit batting average seasons from 2019 to 2021, Kang struggled with injuries last season, batting .245 with six home runs and 29 RBIs.

This season, he hit .261 with six home runs and 32 RBIs in 57 games.

Now that he’s recovered, Kang will look to bounce back in the remaining games of the season.

He will also compete in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, which kick off on March 23.

KT also added veteran shortstop Kim Sang-soo to the first team roster after missing time with a sprained ankle.

Kim will be used as a pinch hitter or as a defensive backup later in the game.

“First of all, it’s important to protect our position,” said manager Lee Kang-cheol, who was boosted by the addition of the injured players. “We will do our best to win at least two games in the three-game series against LG.”

Second-place KT trails first-place LG by 5.5 games.

The outcome of the three-game series could define the direction of the leadership battle.

KT will go all-out against LG in the three-game series with key starters William Cuevas, Wes Benjamin, and Ko Young-pyo. 카지노사이트