Seoul: Choi Jeong, the all-time home run leader in South Korean baseball and a prominent player for the SSG Landers, is set to undergo season-ending hip surgery next month, as announced by his club on Friday. The surgery will mark the conclusion of his current season, which had already been marred by health challenges.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi, aged 39, has not taken to the field since July 16, when he hit his 20th home run of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season. This milestone secured his position as the first player to achieve 20 or more home runs in 11 consecutive seasons. Overall, Choi remains the career home run leader with an impressive tally of 538.

Choi's performance had been hampered by persistent hip pain since early June. Recent medical evaluations diagnosed him with femoroacetabular impingement, a condition where abnormally shaped hip bones cause joint damage. Despite undergoing therapy and treatments, his condition showed no improvement, prompting doctors to recommend surgery.

The SSG Landers have confirmed that Choi will have his surgery on August 11 in Colorado, USA. Following the procedure, he will participate in a two-week rehabilitation program before returning to South Korea. It is anticipated that Choi will be able to resume baseball activities in approximately six months.

Despite his health struggles, Choi had a remarkably productive season. Over 71 games, he achieved a batting average of .306/.397/.616 with 20 home runs and 57 RBIs. Had he sustained this performance throughout the entire season, Choi would have recorded his highest batting average and on-base plus slugging percentage since 2017.