Kiwoom Heroes closer Ju Seung-woo pitches against the LG Twins during the clubs’ Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, in this file photo from July 10, 2025. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Aug. 11 (Korea Bizwire) — The last-place team in South Korean baseball will miss their closer for the rest of the season due to an elbow injury.
The Kiwoom Heroes announced Monday that right-handed reliever Ju Seung-woo will undergo elbow reconstructive surgery, commonly called Tommy John surgery, in his pitching arm on Aug. 22. Ju will require about a year of rehab and recovery, the Heroes added.
Ju complained of elbow pains after recording two outs in a relief outing against the Doosan Bears during Sunday’s game in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The Heroes took him out and had him undergo multiple tests Monday, which showed damage to his right elbow ligament.
Ju, 25, had been the Heroes’ closer since last season. He recorded 14 saves in 2024 and had 16 saves to rank eighth overall this season, along with a 2.45 ERA in 44 innings, before hitting the sidelines.
“I’m disappointed that I wasn’t able to finish the season with the club,” Ju said. “I will do my best in rehab and try to be back healthy next year.”
The Heroes are in last place in the KBO at 33-73-4 (wins-losses-ties). They also finished dead last in each of the past two seasons.
(Yonhap)
