Lee Jung-hoo placed on 10-day injured list... MLB return possible as early as May 30

San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to May 20, due to a back injury. This marks the second time this season the South Korean star has landed on the IL, having previously ended his season early due to shoulder surgery.

Giants manager Bob Melvin stated that Lee reported experiencing "stabbing pain" in his back during pre-game workouts this week. The discomfort persisted during his last game on May 19 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he was removed from play in the fourth inning after his second at-bat. Although Lee felt some improvement during the team's off-day on May 22, the club opted to place him on the injured list to allow for further recovery and prevent the risk of a more serious injury.

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Lee felt ‘stabbing’ pain in his back during pre-game workouts this week and told the team he felt the same pain during his second at-bat in the game against Arizona (May 19).

Lee is eligible to be activated from the injured list as early as May 30. Before his injury, the 28-year-old outfielder had appeared in 48 games this season, posting a .268 batting average with 3 home runs and an OPS of .696. The Giants also recently lost another outfielder, Elliott Ramos, to a thigh injury, prompting them to call up prospect Victor Bericotto from Triple-A Sacramento.

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Lee felt some improvement during the team's off-day (May 22), but the club decided to give him more time to recover rather than risk a serious injury.