safetotosite1's Blog
:
January 2024
Returning to active duty for fastest return
POSTED ON
01/17/24
Taking the fast track.
Hanwha Eagles sidearm pitcher Kang Jae-min, 27, will enlist in the Korean National Army. He is expected to report to training camp as early as late January and as late as early February. He decided to enlist quickly after being cleared for active duty. "I discussed it with the club," said Kang, who met with Hanwha's second team in Seosan, Chungnam last week.
Kang has been a mainstay in the bullpen. At the end of September last year, he underwent ligament reconstruction surgery on his right elbow. After the surgery, he underwent rehabilitation and trained at the Seosan 2nd District Stadium. He has almost completed the rehabilitation and training process and has no problem serving on active duty.
"It was hard to use my arm for about a week or two after the surgery, but now I have no pain at all," he said.
If he had remained injury-free, he could have enlisted in the commercial service. He delayed his enlistment by a year and played the 2023 season, but things didn't go as planned. Pain took hold of his ankle.
He had elbow surgery and won't be throwing for a while. I just have to wait for the right time while serving in the military.
In 2022, the elbow pain returned. It delayed the start of the season by a month. The pain affected his pitching form. He instinctively threw to avoid the pain, which deformed his pitching form. The surgery relieved him of the burden of pain. "It felt great after the surgery," he said.
Kang Jae-min said, "I have been treating and training my body to be able to enlist in active duty. I didn't consider public service because of the long working hours and waiting period. I want to fulfill my military duty as soon as possible and come back to throw." It's the fastest way back.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of players who have completed active military service. 토토사이트 Hanwha infielder Kim Tae-yeon served in a tank unit and Kim In-hwan served in an artillery unit. Outfielder Lim Jong-chan, who joined the team after being discharged in December, was an assistant in a frontline unit. Even while on active duty, he is able to train privately after hours.
If he enlists this February, he could join the team next August.
Kang Jae-min was drafted in the second round of the 2020 Rookie Draft out of Yongmago-Dankook University. In his first year as a professional, he appeared in 50, 58, and 56 games. He was the centerpiece of the bullpen. This year, he took a step back. Appeared in 43 games and threw 43⅓ innings. 1-3 with 12 holds and a 6.44 ERA.
"I didn't even get to say goodbye to the fans, and then I had surgery after the season. If you wait a little longer, I will come back and repay your support with a good performance."
This is the message Kang Jae-min left for Hanwha fans before his enlistment in the military.
