Tigers manager breathes sigh of relief after star player avoids injury

Published on April 2, 2026

SEOUL, April 2 (Yonhap) — Kia Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho felt his heart drop Wednesday after star player Choi Hyung-woo was involved in a collision during a practice session. The incident raised immediate concerns about the potential of a serious injury to one of the team’s key hitters, who has been instrumental in their recent successes.

Fortunately, medical staff quickly assessed Choi, and initial reports indicated that he had escaped any significant harm. Manager Lee expressed his relief during a post-practice conference, saying, “We were all worried when we saw the collision happen. Choi is a vital part of our lineup, and losing him would have been a huge blow to our season.”

Choi, who has had a stellar start to the season, has been vital in providing both leadership and scoring ability for the Tigers. Last season, he demonstrated remarkable consistency, leading the team in home runs and runs batted in. The team’s hopes for a successful run in the upcoming league games largely hinge on his performance.

As the Tigers prepare for their next matchup, the focus remains on keeping key players healthy and ensuring a solid performance. Lee added, “We still have some adjustments to make, but having Choi healthy gives us a big advantage. We just need to take things carefully in practice.”

Fans and teammates shared in the sense of relief, with many taking to social media to express their support for Choi. The atmosphere around the team is one of cautious optimism as they aim to capitalize on their momentum heading into the regular season.

With Choi cleared to continue training, the Tigers are looking forward to demonstrating their strength on the field. As they gear up for their season opener, all eyes will be on the team’s star player, who is eager to put the incident behind him and focus on leading the Tigers to victory.

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