Will he be able to continue the tradition of left-handed ace not only of the KIA Tigers but also of Korean baseball? Attention is focusing on whether left-handed ace Lee Eui-ri (23), a former member of the Kia Tigers' national team, will be able to make a comeback this season.안전놀이터

After graduating from Gwangju Soochang Elementary School, Chungjang Middle School, and Gwangju Jeil High School, Lee joined Kia in 2021 through the first round of nominations. The down payment for joining the team is 300 million won. In the 2021 season, his first year as a member of the team, Lee played in 19 games and recorded four wins, five losses and an ERA of 3.61. In total, he pitched 94 ⅔ innings, posting 69 hits (six homers), 56 walks, 93 strikeouts, and 42 runs (38 earned runs). Lee also won the Rookie of the Year award.

Since then, Lee Eui-ri has become the next left-hander ace to lead Korean baseball by pitching more than 130 innings for two consecutive seasons, earning a 3-point ERA and double-digit wins. In the 2022 season, he recorded 10 wins and 10 losses with a 3.86 ERA (66 earned runs in 154 innings) in 29 games, and 11 wins and 7 losses with a 3.96 ERA (58 earned runs in 131 ⅔ innings) in the 2023 season.

Notably, he dedicated himself to serving his country under the national flag. Starting with the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and the 2023 Asian Baseball Championship, gaining experience in international competitions.

Did I throw too many balls without resting, however? Lee couldn't take the mound anymore after the game against the NC Dinos on May 29 last year. Due to intensifying elbow pain, he decided to undergo surgery. Eventually, he underwent reconstruction of the medial ligament in his left elbow and bone fragment removal on June 2. He had to take injections rather than surgery, but after consultation, Lee and the club made the final decision through surgery. He pitched in four games, with one win and no loss in ERA at 5.40.

Having devoted himself to rehabilitation, Lee participated in the Kia first-tier spring camp in Irvine, the U.S., and has been gradually improving his condition by pitching in the bullpen. With his return to the mound in May or June originally scheduled, however, the actual game of the opening game is still uncertain. Still, the reason he took Lee to the first-tier camp means that Kia considers Lee as important this year.

Lee Eui-ri, the coach of the team, said, "Now is the time for pitching. I have been talking about how I can gradually increase the number of pitches in the Futures League since March or April. I have decided to go to the camp together because it is time for me to start pitching with my pitching coach watching me from now on."

Lee Eui-ri also calmly said, "I have to start pitching now, but I don't have to put any emphasis on it. My goal is to finish the camp healthy and without getting hurt." He continued, "When I am in good condition, I tend to get in a bit of a hurry. I will certainly not overdo it this year. I am not in a hurry, and I will try to return as soon as possible."

Recently, Ryu Hyun-jin (38, Hanwha Eagles) and Kim Kwang-hyun (37, SSG Landers) appeared on Yoon Seok-min (39)'s YouTube channel, "Cyber Yoon Seok-min," and talked about the ace of the national team. At the meeting, Kim said, "I don't think I have enough left hand. I don't think I have enough objection. Is there a player like that?" Ryu Hyun-jin also said, "I still have Kim Kwang-hyun, Ryu Hyun-jin, and Yang Hyun-jong."

When asked about this, Lee Eui-ri said, "Well, to be honest, (Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Yang Hyun-jong) are the No. 1 players in the KBO. So, I think it's still hard to catch up," adding, "But there are times when people get better if they work hard, so maybe someday?" He expressed his intention to keep trying. How will Lee Eui-ri show his performance when he returns from injury? KIA fans as well as Korean baseball fans are paying attention to Lee.