Reporter Lee Sang-cheol = Choi Ji-man (32, Pittsburgh Pirates) departs for the United States and prepares to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) with the new season.
Choi Ji-man left for the United States via Incheon International Airport on the afternoon of the 8th. Rehabilitating after undergoing surgery to remove a bone fragment in his elbow in Korea last November, he plans to leave the country earlier than usual to focus on his rehabilitation and improve his physical condition.
He said, “The weather in Korea was cold, so I didn’t throw the ball and only did rehabilitation exercises. It’s about 40-50%, but I’m going to the US and try to improve my condition as soon as possible. My team also sends trainers and doctors home to check my physical condition. It seems that the schedule will be set accordingly (before spring camp in February).” 메이저사이트
Choi Ji-man was selected for the baseball team led by coach Lee Kang-cheol and wore the Taegeuk mark. However, the participation in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will be held in March, has not been finalized, but Pittsburgh’s approval is required.
Prior to the announcement of the WBC final list, he expressed his strong intention to compete with Cho Beom-hyeon, head of the Technical Committee, and said, “I was hungry because I had never worn a Taegeuk mark before. It was very unfortunate that I couldn’t run, so I want to go to this tournament as much as possible.”
“I haven’t decided (my participation in the WBC) in Pittsburgh yet, but I continue to convey to the team that I want to play in the tournament. The team has confirmed my physical condition and asked me to make a decision, so I’m waiting.”
In addition to Choi Ji-man, Korea selected two other big leaguers for the WBC: Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres) and Tommy Hyeon-su Edman (St. Louis Cardinals).
Regarding this, Choi Ji-man said, “Edmon is a good player, so I think he will work well with Kim Ha-seong. Second baseman and shortstop are the most important positions, so I hope the two players adapt well.” I even had a conversation with Edmund when I came to first base in a game last year, and he greeted me in Korean first, and we became quite close after that.”
Korea was placed in Group B with Japan, Australia, China, and the Czech Republic in the first round of the WBC. If you come in 2nd place in a full league with 4 teams, you will advance to the quarterfinals. Then, if they win a single match against the first or second place in Group A, they will go to the United States and play in the semifinals.
Choi Ji-man expressed his ambition to go to Florida, where the semi-final tournament will be held with his national team players. He said, “I want to play against Japan as well as the United States, which has built the strongest power.” “The coach said, ‘I want to get out of Japan and go to a wider place (USA),’ and I am the same. In particular, Pittsburgh’s spring camp location is Florida. I hope to join the team’s camp right after the tournament there.”