The Samsung Lions will try to extend the Korean Series against the Kia Tigers on Monday without the service of their veteran catcher Kang Min-ho.

Manager Park Jin-man said Kang, 39, is dealing with a right hamstring injury.

“He is feeling some discomfort in that area, and I don’t think he’ll be able to play today,” Park said at his pregame press conference at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, 270 kilometers south of Seoul. “He won’t be available to pinch hit, either.”

This is Kang’s first trip to the Korean Series in his 21-year career. He was batting 2-for-13 with three walks and two strikeouts in the first four games.

The Lions are trailing in the best-of-seven series 3-1, and a loss will end their season. They are trying to become only the second team in Korea Baseball Organization history to win a Korean Series title after going down 3-1.

The Lions were already saddled with multiple injuries before Kang went down. Won Tae-in, who started Game 4 on Saturday in Daegu, is out with right shoulder p
ains. Though Won traveled with the team to Gwangju, Park said the pitcher is still experiencing “some stiffness” in his right shoulder.

“It’s a shame that the playing field is not level with Kia because of all these injuries,” Park said. “Our players have done their best so far, and we can’t really control the injury situation.”

Koo Ja-wook, the Lions’ captain and their best hitter in the regular season, hurt his left knee in a steal attempt in an earlier postseason game two weeks ago and hasn’t played since.

“He is available on the bench,” Park said with a wry smile. “But honestly, it will be difficult for him to play.”

Source: Yonhap News Agency