Kim Won-jung’s Struggle: Lotte Giants Closer Fails Critical Ultimatum

August 14 Collapse Against NC Sparks Managerial Frustration

The trouble began during the August 14 Sajik NC game when Lotte mounted a fierce comeback from a 0-6 deficit to tie the contest. Anticipating upcoming weather concerns for August 16, manager Kim deployed his top bullpen arms for an all-out effort. However, closer Kim Won-jung faltered heavily in the ninth inning. Instead of merely allowing a clean hit, he surrendered two consecutive hit-by-pitches and two wild pitches, giving up three runs without recording a single out. Although Lotte managed two runs in the bottom of the ninth, they fell 8-9.

Reflecting on the meltdown the next morning, manager Kim shared his disbelief with reporters:

“We were about to play a really good game, but we ended up giving up runs in such a ridiculous way,”

The Lotte skipper elaborated on the closer’s mechanical decline during that outing, stating according to OSEN:

“He was throwing as if possessed. He was comfortable when pitching earlier, but his performance deteriorated as the game progressed.”

Faced with questions regarding a potential role demotion, manager Kim opted to hand down a strict ultimatum:

“I’ll give him one more chance. I need to make a judgment after watching him once more. His velocity hasn’t been there either.”

August 15 Ultimatum Fails and Quick Reliever Replacement

That trial period lasted less than twenty-four hours. On August 15, Lotte held an 8-5 lead in the top of the ninth inning, giving Kim Won-jung an immediate chance to redeem himself in a save situation. Facing leadoff hitter Ahn Jung-yeol, the veteran reliever built a 1-2 count with a fastball touching 149 km/h. On the fifth pitch, however, his forkball drifted toward the heart of the plate, and Ahn drove it into left field for a single.

With relief pitcher Choi Joon-yong already warming up in the bullpen, manager Kim did not hesitate. Acting immediately on the pre-game ultimatum, the coaching staff pulled Kim Won-jung without him recording a single out for the second consecutive night. While Kim Won-jung stood on the mound with a surprised expression, manager Kim and pitching coach Kim Sang-jin remained resolute in their decision.

Choi Joon-yong entered the game and managed the traffic, allowing a hit to Jeon Hae-gwan that put runners on first and second with no outs. Choi then induced Kim Joo-won into a right-field fly out, struck out Lee Woo-sung on three pitches, and got Park Min-woo to fly out to center field to lock down the save. Following these back-to-back collapses, Lotte is expected to remove Kim Won-jung from the closer role once again.

The Long Road Back: Physical Struggles and Second-Half Slumps

Kim Won-jung’s difficulties trace back to a major traffic accident last winter that forced him to focus heavily on rib rehabilitation. Although he managed to join the second spring camp, he was not in proper pitching condition when the season opened. He made the opening day roster despite lacking his usual velocity, but his command suffered immediately. After just three games, Lotte stripped him of closing duties and handed the ball temporarily to Choi Joon-yong.

During his stint working as a setup man to rebuild his physical state, Kim Won-jung watched Choi handle the ninth inning successfully. By late June, Kim had regained his form, posting a 2.08 ERA with seven holds and one save. When Choi subsequently hit a rough patch in early July, the club reinstated Kim Won-jung as the closer. Yet his struggles resumed immediately upon his return. In the second half of the season, he rarely managed a scoreless outing, throwing just 5⅙ innings across eight appearances with an inflated 11.12 ERA.

Franchise History Versus Managerial Patience

The decision to keep deploying Kim Won-jung ultimately stemmed from deep institutional respect. Kim Won-jung holds the Lotte franchise record with 169 saves, cementing a historic legacy in the team’s bullpen. As both a pitching leader and the current interim captain, he commanded the loyalty of manager Kim Tae-hyeong. The club prioritized his historical contributions by including him on the opening day roster, giving him the closer’s role upon his return, and selecting him over Asian-quota pitcher Iimura Shota when reverting away from Choi Joon-yong.

However, consecutive outings without recording an out have pushed the coaching staff past its threshold. With the bullpen needing stability down the stretch, manager Kim’s patience has officially expired, making a permanent ninth-inning transition unavoidable.