Won Tae-in (24), a "native ace" of the Samsung Lions in professional baseball, showed his willingness to take the mound in Game 4 and Game 7 as the rain-suspended game and Game 2 of the Korean Series, which were scheduled to be held in Gwangju on the 22nd, were postponed. As the schedule was pushed back by one day, he was able to take a rest for four days, take a rest for Game 4 and Game 3 and play for Game 7. 

"I think I will be able to prepare for the fourth game in good condition after taking four days off. If I were to take three days off to start the seventh game, I would be able to do so," Won said. "Actually, I am in a lot of pain, but this is a chance to win the title that will come any time soon. Not only me but also all the players are fighting because they don't want to miss that opportunity." 토토사이트

Some people were concerned about his physical condition, but he said, "If I win, I won't be able to give anything to him." "I'm not overworked as much as I used to. You don't have to worry about that. I'm managing myself well so that I can play baseball for as long as I can in my best condition. Honestly, I don't know when I'll get hurt, but I'm preparing to play as long as I can without getting hurt." 

Unfortunately, however, Won suffered an injury in Game 4 of the Korean Series held in Daegu on the 26th. On the day, Won lost six runs on six hits, three walks, two strikeouts and six runs in two ⅓ innings, but it was not a sharp ball like in the first game. He felt uncomfortable with his right shoulder and went down the mound in the top of the third inning with one out on the bases loaded, and a thorough examination revealed that he was injured. 

An MRI scan showed damage to the waist of the right shoulder joint. With slight bleeding and swelling in the joint, he was found to have rotator cuff tendonitis of the shoulder, which required him to undergo rehabilitation for four to six weeks. Not only the remaining Korean series but also his joining in the Premier 12 national team scheduled for November went up in smoke. Won's injury is a serious blow not only to Samsung but also to the national team. 

Unfortunately, the injury was foreseen. Since his debut season at age 19, Won has pitched 112 innings as a starting pitcher. After 140 innings in 2020, he pitched 158 ⅔ innings in 2021, 165 ⅓ innings in 2022, 150 innings in 2023, and 159 ⅔ innings this year. He pitched a total of 885 ⅔ innings in 160 games over the past six years from 2019, ranking second in this category after Casey Kelly (989 ⅓ innings), a foreign pitcher who played for LG. He has displayed consistency by playing the best 이닝 among pitchers in Korea. 

Unlike in the past, for young pitchers in their early 20s, the protection and management of pitchers have become the new normal, including 100 pitches or less, guaranteeing at least five days of rest, and limiting the entire season's innings. In the era of "pitcher overprotection," Won Tae-in was no wonder to be called Cheol-wan. On October 21, 2020, the number of pitches with more than 100 pitches, including 123 pitches, was the highest in the league in the past six years, and 22 games were the starting point for rest on the 4th, following KIA Yang Hyun-jong (29 games) among domestic pitchers. 

He also played for many national teams. Following the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021, he participated in the World Baseball Classic in March, the Hangzhou Asian Games in October, and the Asian Professional Baseball Championship in November. He became the first pitcher to participate in three international competitions in a year after pre-season, mid-season, and end. He played 169 ⅓ innings last year through six games (19 ⅓ innings) of international competitions. Not only did he set a simple record, but he must have felt a lot of fatigue as he finished the season earlier than others. "I feel like I am playing baseball all year round. The season is very long and it is very difficult at times. I think I need to focus on resting and prepare for next season," Won said during the APBC. 

I thought it would be a resting year, but it was not. While pitching 159 ⅔ innings in 28 games, Won lost 15 games and posted an earned run average of 3.66. As Samsung posted better-than-expected results, Won had little time to rest. He pitched 14 innings in three postseason games throughout the Korean Series after the playoffs, recording 173 ⅔ innings in total this year. Although it is not included in past criteria, it was unreasonable given Won's cumulative throws. 

It is regrettable that he ended up with an injury on a big stage in the Korean Series, but given Won's entire baseball career, he does not have to be taken lightly. The pitcher's arms and shoulders were expendable items, and he suffered injuries that would explode once in a while. Rather than going to the Premier 12, he earned time to manage the off-season by fully concentrating on rest and recovery.