DistantNews
Support us
Hanwha's Jeong Eun-won added to first team for first time since discharge... Samsung's Kim Young-woong also returns
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Sports

Hanwha's Jeong Eun-won added to first team for first time since discharge... Samsung's Kim Young-woong also returns

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Infielder Jeong Eun-won of the Hanwha Eagles has been added to the first-team roster after completing his military service.
  • Jeong, who won a Golden Glove in 2021, struggled with his batting average in recent seasons before his military enlistment.
  • Several other KBO teams, including Samsung Lions and LG Twins, have also made roster adjustments with returning players.

Infielder Jeong Eun-won of the Hanwha Eagles has officially joined the first-team roster, marking his return to professional baseball after completing his mandatory military service. The team announced his inclusion ahead of their home game against the NC Dinos on July 7, 2026.

Jeong, who debuted professionally in 2018, was a standout player in 2021, earning a Golden Glove award for his performance as a second baseman. He recorded a batting average of .283 with 6 home runs and 39 RBIs that season. While he maintained a .274 average in 2022, his performance declined in subsequent years, batting .222 in 2023 and .172 in 27 games in 2024 before his enlistment.

Following his discharge from military service on July 1, Jeong has been regaining his form in the minor league. His return is anticipated to bolster the Eagles' lineup. The KBO league has seen several other teams make similar roster moves, with the Samsung Lions welcoming back infielder Kim Young-woong after an 11-day absence due to injury. Kim had previously shown power, hitting over 20 home runs in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but has struggled this year.

The LG Twins have also recalled versatile pitcher Lee Jung-yong and power infielder Lee Jae-won. The Lotte Giants and Kiwoom Heroes have added pitchers Lee Min-seok and Kim Seong-min, respectively, to their first-team rosters, while the KT Wiz have registered outfielder Bae Jeong-dae.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.