Seoul:LG Twins pitcher Son Ju-young expressed his relief and gratitude for being able to participate in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason after a recent injury scare. Earlier this month, Son experienced a sharp pain in his neck, raising fears that his season, or even his career, might be over due to a herniated disc diagnosis.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Son's recovery proceeded smoothly, allowing him to rejoin the Twins after missing their wild card victory. He made his 2026 postseason debut in Game 2 of a best-of-five series against the Kia Tigers, striking out two batters in one inning despite the team's 6-3 loss.
Son, who had ranked second in the KBO with 31 saves during the regular season, expressed his determination to return despite the mental and physical challenges he faced. He noted the mental stress of being unable to contribute while watching his teammates play through injuries, which fueled his motivation to recover and compete.
In Game 3 at Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Son anticipated returning to his role as closer, ready to pitch multiple innings if necessary to help the Twins secure a win. He emphasized the importance of the upcoming game, stating that a victory could shift the momentum in their favor.
Meanwhile, Australian pitcher Jon Kennedy has been a key figure for the Twins in Son's absence, delivering strong performances with scoreless innings in both the current series and the previous wild card game. Kennedy credited his consistent routine from the regular season for his postseason success.
Source Yonhap News Agency