“Coming back before Chuseok holidays at the earliest” 4-week diagnosis ‘Super Mario’ likely to return early…bodes well for Kia’s PS entry scenario

After being sidelined with a sore right elbow, Mario Sanchez (KIA) has picked up where he left off.

Sanchez, who is 4-2 with a 5.28 ERA in eight appearances this season, picked up the win against Hanwha on March 25 with seven innings of one-run ball (two hits, two walks, six strikeouts). But the celebration was short-lived.

Sanchez felt pain in his elbow after his outing, and after two tests, he was diagnosed with a torn medial collateral ligament and impingement syndrome.

Luckily, the condition didn’t require surgery, but he will have to undergo an injection and rehabilitation process that will keep him out of the lineup. He is expected to be out for four weeks. Sanchez’s injury is a blow to the team as it fights for a spot in the postseason. 메이저사이트

Manager Kim Jong-kook said after Sanchez’s injury, “We can add two or three bullpen pitchers by expanding the roster from September. We can give several players a chance. I think the bullpen will have to step up,” he said.

Sanchez, who has been making steady progress in his rehabilitation, threw his first post-injury bullpen at Hampyeong-Kia Challengers Field on Dec. 12. He threw 30 pitches at 80 percent intensity. He is scheduled to make his second bullpen pitch on Sept. 14 with increased intensity.

Manager Kim Jong-kook said before the Daegu Samsung game on the 12th, “Sanchez is fortunately pain-free. I think it’s most important that he doesn’t get sick in the future.” “When he pitches in the second bullpen on the 14th, he will throw 30 to 40 pitches with 90 to 100 percent intensity. If all goes well, he’ll be ready to pitch live against Futures hitters on the 17th.”

As mentioned earlier, the most important thing is that the injury does not recur. Manager Kim Jong-kook said, “If he’s fine when he pitches live on the 17th, we’ll have to schedule a future date. Instead of pitching for the Futures, I’m thinking of having him throw a set number of innings or pitches in the first team. He could return as early as before the Chuseok holiday.”

KIA, which has the most games remaining among the 10 clubs, is hoping for a quicker return for Sanchez.