Guillermo Heredia (32) of SSG Landers had three hits as soon as he returned from injury. 안전놀이터

Heredia started as the designated hitter No. 4 in the match against Kiwoom Heroes of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 30th and played an active role with 3 hits, 3 RBIs and 2 points in 4 at-bats. 

At the end of the first inning, when SSG allowed a 0-1 lead, Heredia, who entered the first at-bat with one company on first and second base, hit a timely hit with one RBI against Kiwoom starter Ian McKinney. In the 3rd inning, when SSG was leading 3-1, he got a hit as the lead batter, followed by Park Seong-han’s hit, and Ha Jae-hoon’s three-run home run homered to score. 

In the 4th inning, Heredia, who had a chance with 1 out, 1st and 3rd base, threw an RBI sacrifice fly and added an RBI. In the 5th inning, with 2 outs, 1st and 3rd base, he scored a double with 2 RBIs, and Ha Jae-hoon added 1 RBI with a timely hit. In the seventh, he was retired on a fly ball to right field.

Heredia showed a good performance by recording a batting average of 3.32 (108 hits in 325 at-bats), 11 homers, 58 RBIs, and an OPS of .888 in 85 games before the match. However, due to a left iliopsoas sprain injury, he was canceled from the first team entry on the 4th and has not played a single game since. 

Heredia, who returned to the first team entry on the 29th, postponed his return by a day as the game was canceled due to rain. In an interview before the match, manager Kim Won-hyeong said, “Heredia will go out as a designated hitter until tomorrow and will likely defend one game on the weekend. The plan is like that, but we have to see how he plays today,” explained Heredia’s physical condition.

Heredia showed off her strength by wielding a strong blow right away in her comeback. Manager Kim Won-hyung, who said, “It’s so good when he comes back and hits well,” said, “Certainly, since Heredia is back, it has become easier when forming his lineup. Players with a guaranteed batting average usually see the ball well. You have to have good eyes to hit. Heredia is a hitter who can hit and create a lot of hits, so he is a great help to the team,” he said, looking forward to Heredia’s performance.

In a post-game interview, Heredia said, “I got good results in the first game after returning from injury. It feels good to feel alive again.” “No player can predict an injury. I rehabilitated. I wanted to help the team as soon as possible. My physical condition is perfect. There is no problem in watching the ball at the plate or playing base running. However, I still have anxiety because I am returning from an injury, so I have not been able to move 100% during the game.