Samsung Lions Bench Injured Catcher Kang Min-ho for Korean Series Game 4

Kang Min-ho benched for Game 4 after eight straight postseason starts

Samsung Lions catcher Kang Min-ho, 41, will not start Game 4 of the Korean Series on Saturday, Nov. 7, after appearing in eight consecutive postseason games while playing through a torn left-side muscle, Korea JoongAng Daily reported. Manager Park Jin-man benched Kang, who is 0-for-6 at the plate in the championship series, and named 26-year-old Kim Do-hwan the starting catcher for the afternoon game against the KT Wiz at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.

The Lions take a 2-1 lead into Game 4 after defeating KT 5-1 in Game 3 on Friday, Nov. 6. Park cited the quick turnaround from a night game to a Saturday afternoon start as the deciding factor. “We have the back-to-back night game and day game, and he was just about to collapse,” Park said. “I just felt this was the right time to get him off his feet.”

From 2013 “no-bunt” ad to bunting through a torn oblique

Kang has played through an oblique injury that limits his swing, The Korea Times reported. Before Game 3, he told reporters he was “pouring my soul into it” and playing with “so much desperation” in pursuit of his first championship ring in a 23-year career. He made his KBO debut in 2004 with the Lotte Giants and joined the Lions in 2018, but did not reach the Korean Series until 2024, when Samsung lost to the Kia Tigers in five games.

In a 2013 baseball game commercial, Kang rejected a bunt with the line “A bunt? I’m Kang Min-ho.” I’m Kang Min-ho,” projecting himself as an offensive catcher. Now, 13 years later, he practices bunts before every game and has executed sacrifice bunts in the postseason, including moving a runner to second base in the sixth inning of a playoff game on Nov. 1.”

Kim Do-hwan and 19-year-old Jang Chan-hee set for first postseason starts

Kim Do-hwan will make his first career postseason start behind the plate, Korea JoongAng Daily reported. He will catch 19-year-old Jang Chan-hee, a third-round pick in the 2025 KBO draft who will also make his first postseason start. “I hope these two will bring some energy out there today,” Park said. “Chan-Hee has always been a fearless type, regardless of when he takes the mound. I hope he goes right after hitters just like he did during the regular season.”

If Jang falters early, Park said every available relief pitcher will be ready to enter immediately. The only pitchers unavailable Saturday are Ariel Jurado, who started Friday; Won Tae-win, who will start Saturday; and Chris Paddack, who started Wednesday and will get the ball for Game 6 on Tuesday if the series goes that far.

Park Jin-man leans on lessons from 2024 Korean Series loss

Park, managing in his second Korean Series after the 2024 defeat to Kia, said that experience taught him to be more aggressive with in-game decisions. “After that loss, I decided I should be more aggressive with my in-game decisions,” Park said, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. “I think it is always better to regret doing something than regret not doing anything.”

Game 4 begins Saturday afternoon at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, with the best-of-seven series continuing after the Lions’ 2-1 lead.

Questions about Kang Min-ho’s benching and Game 4

Why did the Lions bench Kang Min-ho despite his defensive value?
Manager Park Jin-man said the back-to-back night and day games made it the right time to rest Kang, who was “just about to collapse.” Kang had started eight straight postseason games while playing through a torn left oblique muscle, batting 0-for-6 but remaining in the lineup for his defense.

What exactly is Kang Min-ho’s injury?
The Korea Times reported that Kang tore a muscle on his left side. He said he deals with a lot of pain when swinging but wants to help defensively and keep the other team from scoring.

Who is replacing Kang Min-ho in Game 4?
Kim Do-hwan, 26, will make his first career postseason start at catcher, according to Korea JoongAng Daily. He will catch 19-year-old Jang Chan-hee, who is also making his first postseason start.

The reference is to a 2013 baseball game commercial in which Kang rejected a bunt with the line “A bunt? I’m Kang Min-ho.” I’m Kang Min-ho.” Now, 13 years later, he practices bunts daily and has executed sacrifice bunts in the playoffs despite his injury.”

More on this story: Ariel Jurado's 7-Inning Gem Powers Samsung in Korean Series Game 3

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