SUWON, South Korea – The NC Dinos faced elimination from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason Sunday after a narrow 3-2 loss to the KT Wiz, leaving the team and fans to ponder the impact of not having their ace, Erick Fedde, available for the deciding game.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Fedde, who was sidelined due to shoulder fatigue, could not contribute to the crucial Game 5, despite being the KBO's top pitcher with a leading 20 wins, 209 strikeouts, and a 2.00 ERA for the regular season. His absence was felt strongly as the Dinos watched the Wiz advance to the Korean Series.
The Dinos' manager Kang In-kwon had hinted at the possibility of Fedde pitching in relief, but as the game unfolded at KT Wiz Park, Fedde remained on the bench. His singular postseason performance, a 12-strikeout game which led to a 9-5 victory, stood as his only appearance on the mound during these playoffs.
On October 16, during his final regular-season start, Fedde suffered a blow to the right forearm from a batted ball, which raised initial concerns about his playoff availability. Despite the Dinos progressing past the Doosan Bears and then sweeping the SSG Landers, Fedde's anticipated return was continually postponed due to lingering arm discomfort.
Fedde's one postseason start on October 30 showcased his capabilities, but the subsequent development of shoulder issues left the Dinos without their star pitcher when they needed him most. The decision to start Shin Min-hyeok in Game 5 over a possibly unfit Fedde resulted in a performance that kept the Dinos within striking distance, but with an offense that struggled to produce, the absence of Fedde's arm was glaring.
In the wake of the season's end, speculation about Fedde's future with the Dinos has arisen. Following his successful stint in the KBO, the former Washington Nationals starter may draw interest from Major League Baseball teams, potentially marking the end of his tenure in South Korea.