Kiwoom Heroes’ closer Jo Sang-woo may not be able to be seen in the rest of the season.
Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki gave a dark outlook on Cho Sang-woo. “I haven’t been able to touch the ball yet. I received the report yesterday, and I was worried,” Hong said, hinting that it is not easy for Cho to return to the team for the rest of the season. 안전놀이터
Jo Sang-woo, who returned this season after serving in the military, has a 3.18 ERA with one loss, six saves and nine holds in 44 games.
He was the hottest figure in July. He was at the center of trade rumors. From the team aiming for the championship to the team seeking to advance to the fifth round, there have been rumors of trade in Cho Sang-woo, centering on the team with weak bullpen, but none of them came true.
Cho Sang-woo was removed from the first team on July 16, when trade rumors were circulating for a long time, due to right shoulder inflammation. At the time, it was not a major injury, so he seemed to be able to return quickly.
However, he returned to the first team only on the 6th, 20 days after his return to the team, but he was not in his normal condition. He took the mound at the match against the SSG Landers in Gocheok on the 4th, but failed to catch an out count and lost three hits and two runs. He seemed to improve by allowing two hits and no runs in one inning against the Hanwha Eagles in Daejeon on the 10th, but he went back to the second team on the 12th.
It’s been two weeks and nothing has changed.
Coach Hong said, “At first, I thought about 10 days would be enough, but I got the injection treatment because I didn’t get better, and after returning, I got rehabilitation again because I heard there was a little soreness, but given that I didn’t get better until yesterday, I don’t think there will be any good news,” adding, “I hope it will help me with about 20 games in September, but I think we will have to wait and see.”
It seems that the inflammation in his shoulder has not definitely improved yet, and it also has a psychological effect. “There is still some inflammation left. You will feel anxious when the inflammation disappears, but since it is still there, there is no way it can be clean,” Hong said. “Since the arrest is not coming out as desired, I wonder if it is because of this.”