Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki talked about Ahn Woo-jin, who underwent Tommy John surgery (elbow ligament joint surgery), in an interview before the game against the NC Dinos of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 21st.
Ahn Woo-jin is a special ace with 9 wins, 7 losses and a 2.39 ERA in 24 games (150 ⅔ innings) this season. For the first time in the history of the KBO League, he challenged 200 strikeouts for two consecutive years, but unfortunately failed to achieve his goal as he collapsed due to injury. 스포츠토토
Ahn Woo-jin, who decided to undergo Tommy John surgery, underwent surgery on the same day (Korean time) at the Kelan-Jove Clinic in Los Angeles, California. The lead surgeon in charge of Ahn Woo-jin’s surgery is Dr. Neil Elatrache, a well-known doctor in the U.S. sports world. Dr. Elatrache performed Ryu Hyun-jin’s 2015 shoulder joint and net surgery, 2016 elbow necrotic tissue removal surgery, and last year’s Tommy John surgery.
Coach Hong Won-ki said, “Ahn Woo-jin was reported to have undergone surgery well. I also received a picture of me wearing a V in the hospital room. “The surgery went well and if there is no major problem after the second examination on the 3rd, I will return home on the 9th,” he explained Ahn Woo-jin’s condition was explained.
Ahn Woo-jin, who underwent Tommy John surgery, will take more than a year to rehabilitate. Ryu Hyun-jin, who underwent his second Tommy John surgery in June last year, took about 13 months to return to the Major League. Locally, Ryu Hyun-jin is said to have returned faster than ordinary pitchers.
Since the rehabilitation period is not short, Ahn Woo-jin is expected to fulfill his military service during this period. However, a Kiwoom official said, “Ahn Woo-jin was judged as a fourth-grade (social service worker) by physical examination even before undergoing this operation. He originally had some military service plans regardless of his injuries. However, it has not been confirmed whether he will serve in the military during rehabilitation because the situation has changed a little after undergoing surgery, he said.
Coach Hong Won-ki said, “It’s too early to discuss Ahn Woo-jin’s return,” but added, “It’s a relief that the surgery that I was most worried about ended well.” I hope that the second examination will come out well, return home safely, and complete the rehabilitation process smoothly,” he said, looking forward to Ahn Woo-jin’s healthy return.
