Daejeon: Kia Tigers outfielder Kim Ho-ryung earned his first All-Star selection of his 11-year career in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) as an injury replacement Thursday.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the KBO announced that Kim, 33, will take the place of his Tigers teammate Choi Hyoung-woo, who will miss Saturday's All-Star Game due to a right hamstring injury sustained on Tuesday. Choi was the top vote-getter for the designated hitter (DH) spot for the "Nanum" team, which is comprised of players from the Tigers, the Hanwha Eagles, the LG Twins, the NC Dinos, and the Kiwoom Heroes. With Choi sidelined, Moon Hyun-bin of the Eagles, who was the runner-up in the voting by fans and fellow players, will start as the DH for the Nanum side.
Moon had already been selected as a reserve, and with his move into the starting lineup, Kim was named to the Nanum team. Kim, traditionally a backup outfielder, has stepped into a starting role this season due to injuries affecting the Tigers. He has delivered a .285/.366/.438 batting line in 48 games and has provided strong defense in center field.
This year's All-Star Game will be held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark, the Eagles' new stadium in Daejeon, located 140 kilometers south of Seoul.