Adam Plutko, 31, the LG Twins’ winningest foreign ace, who recently skipped one start due to a high fever and cold, has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). As a result, he will not be able to play this week. Still, it’s a good thing. The Twins recently acquired Choi Won-tae in a trade that has been called a “stroke of genius.

LG head coach Yoon Kyung-yeop revealed that Plutko was infected with COVID-19 in an interview with reporters before the team’s 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 1.

Yim said, “Plutko was tested for COVID-19 on the 31st of last month and was diagnosed with the disease. It has become difficult for him to pitch in the two-day game. We will have to postpone his next appearance until next Tuesday (Aug. 8) against the Gwangju KIA.”

Plutko has been the LG Twins’ top ace this season, anchoring the starting rotation. In 18 starts this season, he is 11-2 with a 2.33 ERA. In 108 total innings pitched, he has allowed 95 hits (four home runs), 25 walks, 84 strikeouts, 31 runs (28 earned), a WHIP of 1.11, and a batting average of .231. The quality starts (six innings or less) were his best, with 14.

Plutko ended the first half prematurely on July 8 against Lotte. Yoon gave Plutko plenty of rest. It was the manager’s way of helping him pitch better in the second half. Plutko then made a start against KT on July 25, giving up three runs (three earned) on four hits with four walks and two strikeouts in six innings of work. His next scheduled start was against Doosan in Jamsil on March 30, but Plutko was forced to skip one start and rest due to high fever and cold symptoms.

Luckily, there was a pitcher who took the mound in his place. It was “homegrown ace” Choi Won-tae, who was acquired via trade from the Kiwoom Heroes on July 29. Without him, LG would have had to resort to temporary measures, such as bringing up a starter from the second team in a hurry, but Choi stepped up to the plate and threw six innings of two-hit ball, much to the delight of LG fans. Won-tae Choi filled the void of Plutko perfectly. The trade was said to be a “stroke of genius.

LG initially planned to pitch Plutko against Jamsil Kiwoom on February 2, but was forced to reschedule the game after he was diagnosed with COVID-19. If Plutko undergoes additional COVID-19 tests and tests negative, he will make one appearance in the Futures League. After that, he will start against the KIA in Gwangju on Aug. 8 if he is still healthy.

For LG, Plutko’s temporary absence could be a blessing in disguise. Prior to this season’s spring training, Yeom noted that two foreign pitchers (Kelly and Plutko) faltered in the postseason last year. “Kelly and Plutko pitched a lot during the season, and the effects of that carried over into the postseason,” Yeom analyzed, “so this season, we’re going to give them a break during the pennant race if we can.” In the end, Plutko was forced to take a break. If Yeom’s analysis is correct, this forced rest could help Plutko pitch stronger in the fall.

With Plutko out of the lineup, Lee Ji-gang will take over the fifth spot. “On the second day, Lee Jung-yong will start. On the third day, Casey Kelly will start, and on the fourth day, Lee Ji-gang will start.” LG travels to Daegu over the weekend for a three-game series against Samsung. Choi Won-tae will start on the fifth, and Im Chan-kyu will take the mound again on the sixth after four days of rest.카지노사이트

“Won-tae (Choi) is having a huge impact on the team. He is giving the team a sense of stability. He pitched well in his first game after the transfer. He can throw short and long sliders. His arm swing has gotten shorter and better. He has a curveball, changeup, fastball, two-seam fastball, and four-seam fastball. He throws a two-seam inside and a four-seam outside, which I think is a very good direction. His pitches have a lot of life on them, and they don’t drop off. He will continue to break 100 pitches in the future. Won-tae is still a pitcher who needs to be managed,” he said.

Infielder Moon Bo-kyung, now a teammate, also gave a thumbs-up to Choi Won-tae. After the game on Day 1, Moon told the press, “When I faced Choi Won-tae as a pitcher, it was very difficult. I don’t think I was able to get a few hits. He threw a lot of different pitches, including fastballs, cutters, and changeups, so it was very tricky. Now that we’re on the same team, I’m really happy for him.”