NC Dinos’ Seo Ho-cheol has been sidelined with a pinky finger injury.

Seo Ho-cheol started as the No. 2 hitter and third baseman against the Kiwoom Heroes in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at NC Park in Changwon on May 5. After striking out in the first inning, he came home on a single by Kwon Hee-dong. He looked good in the first inning, but the bad news came in the third inning.

Seo Ho-cheol, who led off the third inning, attempted a surprise bunt. Pitcher Jang Jae-young caught the ball and threw it to first base, but an error was made. The ball dropped behind him, and Seo sprinted to second base and made a head-first slide. The umpires called him out, but the video review overturned the call. However, Seo felt discomfort in his left pinky finger after stepping on the second base line and was replaced by Do Tae-hoon in the top of the fourth inning.

Seo was removed from the first team roster on the 6th and underwent a medical examination on the 7th. As a result of the examination, it is unlikely that we will see him in a first team game for the time being.

An NC official said on the 7th, “Seo Ho-cheol was substituted on the 5th against Kiwoom after his left pinky finger hit the base while running. He underwent a hospital examination on the 7th and was diagnosed with a three-week rehabilitation due to ligament damage to his left 5th finger (pinky). He will join the rehabilitation group on the 8th.”

Seo’s departure is a big blow for NC. 메이저사이트 Seo established himself as the starting third baseman this season. He played in 77 games, hitting .301 with 82 hits, two home runs, 30 RBIs, 36 runs scored, and a .742 OPS. NC is currently in third place with 48 wins, one tie, and 43 losses. The difference between them and the sixth-place KIA Tigers (44 wins, 2 ties, 43 losses) is two games. The loss of Seo will be painful for the Tigers, who are in the midst of a fierce battle for the top spot.

NC, which is riding a four-game winning streak, will play a three-game series against the SSG Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon starting on April 8. The difference between them and second-place SSG is four games. If they can close the gap with good results in the midweek three-game series, they will be able to make a run at the top spot. It will be interesting to see how they fare without key player Seo Ho-cheol.