How painful it must have been, I couldn't get a hospital check-up because I couldn't straighten my arm properly. 안전놀이터

Samsung bullpen pitcher Choi Ji-kwang has suffered an unfortunate injury. Choi took the mound as relief pitcher at a game against SSG held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on Sunday, but collapsed due to a sudden injury. 

Choi Ji-kwang took the mound after Kim Tae-hoon with one out and runners on the first and second bases in the seventh inning with a 9-7 lead. It was the first time in six days since the game against NC on the 8th. The first batter Ha Jae-hoon was on base with a hit ball on the 9th pitch in the full count, putting him on the verge of loading the bases.

After throwing the first pitch at Lee Ji-young's at-bat, he balked in the pitching motion ahead of the second pitch. The third baseman scored and became the second and third base with one out. Lee Ji-young allowed a 9-10 turnaround by allowing two more runs to hit a timely hit to the left. 

He stole base and threw wild pitches to reach third base with one out, and Choi Ji-kwang struck out Ko with a curve ball of the seventh pitch. However, as soon as he struck out, he collapsed on the mound. His face was distorted due to pain while hugging his right arm.

 
Surprised, a coaching staff and a trainer came out of the Samsung bench to check his physical condition. He sent a replacement sign saying he could no longer pitch. After failing to stand up for a while, Choi returned to the dugout on his side. "He was replaced as he felt pain in his right elbow. He will go to Incheon Gil Hospital for a checkup," a Samsung official said. 

However, it was reported that Choi did not get a checkup after the game. "Choi went for a hospital check-up but failed to do so due to severe pain. We will have an MRI after stabilizing the body," a Samsung official said after the game. Due to severe elbow pain, he was unable to get a checkup because he could not straighten his right arm properly. We cannot even guess how much pain he suffered. 

When Choi returned to the dugout after being replaced, he bent his right arm 90 degrees and put his hand under his uniform to fix it before walking. Immediately after his injury, he was in so much pain that he couldn't straighten his arm properly. He reportedly came back after being prescribed painkillers at a hospital. 

Samsung had an 8-4 lead against SSG but suffered a come-from-behind loss of 9-11. However, Choi Ji-kwang's injury is more painful than the loss for Samsung, which is already in second place. If the injury is severe, he may not be able to play in the postseason. If this happens, Samsung will suffer a severe blow. 

Choi has pitched in 35 games this season, recording three wins, two losses and seven holds and an earned run average of 2.23. Prior to taking the mound on the day, he had powerful pitching of two wins and two holds and an earned run average of 0.87 in the last 10 games (10 ⅓ innings), which is a must-win situation in the Samsung bullpen. 

Coach Park Jin-man welcomed news of infielder Kim Young-woong's return to the first division before the game. After recovering from shoulder pain, Kim hit two doubles, two hits and two RBIs from three times at bat in the match against Sangmu in the Futures League on Monday, signaling his recovery of sense for actual games. He plans to join the first division on Saturday. 

Kim Young-woong has played in 117 games this season, batting .257 (110 hits in 428 at-bats) with 25 home runs, 72 RBIs, 61 runs and OPS.805. 

"We have 10 games left in the season, and it is important to continue the good trend and end the season. Since we have to play big games in the future, I hope that the players can come back from injury to finish the season as a whole and continue the game," Park said. However, there was a bad news that the bullpen needs to win.