Kwak Do-kyu, a left-handed reliever for the KIA Tigers, has reportedly been dropped from the South Korean national team for the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC).
According to Yonhap News Agency on November 5, the Korea Baseball Organization's (KBO) Strengthening Committee announced, "Kwak Do-kyu will not participate in the APBC due to a left thigh injury."
Kwak returned to action in May and had an impressive regular season, recording 2 wins, 2 saves, and 11 holds with a 2.81 ERA over 44 games. However, he struggled with stamina issues in October, leading to a decline in performance during the regular season and postseason.
With Kwak's absence, the national team now has 16 pitchers remaining. Additionally, right-handed pitchers Choi Min-seok (Doosan Bears) and Shin Young-woo (NC Dinos) have also been sidelined due to right elbow injuries. As a result, the pitching roster has been reduced to 16 players.
Furthermore, Samsung Lions pitchers Jang Chan-hee and Bae Chan-seung, who are currently competing in the Korean Series, are also unlikely to join the national team, suggesting that the APBC will be contested with just 14 pitchers.
The APBC will take place at Tokyo Dome in Japan, with South Korea departing on November 9. The team is scheduled to face Australia on November 12, Japan on November 13, and Taiwan on November 14, followed by the finals or third-place match on November 15.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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