The NC Dinos, who are in the midst of a fierce battle for the top spot in the standings, have been dealt a blow with the loss of their star player to injury.
The NC team announced on July 7, “Seo Ho-cheol underwent a medical examination today and received a report that he needs three weeks of rehabilitation due to ligament damage to his left little finger. The player will join the rehabilitation group from the 8th of this month.”
Seo Ho-cheol started the home game against the Kiwoom Heroes at Changwon NC Park on May 5 and was replaced in the third inning after complaining of pain after his left hand hit the base while running.
It was hoped that it wasn’t a major injury, but unfortunately, Seo hasn’t been seen on the first team field since August. He was on his way to becoming NC’s starting third baseman this season, but the injury set him back.
Seo has appeared in 77 games this season, hitting .301 (82-for-272) with two home runs, 30 RBI, four doubles, and a .742 OPS. He was drafted in the second round, 87th overall, in the 2019 First-Year Player Draft and has been fulfilling his potential in his fifth year in an NC uniform.
NC is currently in sole possession of third place in the standings with 48 wins, 43 losses and one tie, ahead of the fourth-place KT Wiz (49 wins, 44 losses and two ties). They are one game behind the fifth-place Doosan Bears and two games behind the sixth-place KIA Tigers, 안전놀이터 making the August standings battle crucial for their postseason hopes.
NC is facing a six-game series in the Seoul metropolitan area this week, facing the second-place SSG Landers in Incheon on Aug. 8-10 and KT in Suwon on Aug. 11-13, which will make it difficult for the offense to get going.