Samsung's Chris Pedec scratched from Doosan start with back stiffness
In short
Samsung Lions pitcher Chris Pedec will not make his scheduled start against the Doosan Bears in Daegu on Oct 4 after feeling stiffness in his right back, and left-hander Lee Seung-hyun will start in his place. The Korea Baseball Organization announced the change, and a Samsung official said Pedec felt the problem while preparing to pitch. Pedec, who joined Samsung this season as a replacement for Jack O'Loughlin, is 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA in 12 games.
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Samsung Lions pitcher Chris Pedec was scratched from his scheduled start against the Doosan Bears at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on Oct 4 because of stiffness in his right back, and left-hander Lee Seung-hyun will start in his place. The Korea Baseball Organization announced the change, saying Pedec had been injured, according to Dong-A Ilbo. Chosun Ilbo and Newsis reported the same switch. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
A Samsung official told Dong-A Ilbo that Pedec felt stiffness in his right back while preparing to pitch and was unable to take the mound. No outlet reported how serious the problem is or how long he might be out. [ 3 ]
Pedec joined Samsung this season as a replacement for Jack O'Loughlin, Chosun Ilbo reported. In 12 games he has a 7-3 record and a 2.95 ERA, with Dong-A Ilbo adding that he has thrown 73⅓ innings. Against Doosan this season he has pitched twice, going 1-1. [ 1 , 3 ]
The change comes with Samsung on a six-game winning streak, Chosun Ilbo reported, and trailing first-place KT Wiz by three games, according to Dong-A Ilbo. The team therefore faces Doosan carrying what Dong-A Ilbo described as a variable. [ 1 , 3 ]
Why it matters
Samsung was on a six-game winning streak and chasing first-place KT Wiz from three games back, so losing a scheduled starter on game day affects a team in the middle of a pennant race. The documents do not say how long Pedec is expected to be sidelined, leaving the size of that impact unclear. Interest is likely limited to followers of the KBO league.
Key facts
- Chris Pedec was scratched from his scheduled start for Samsung against Doosan in Daegu on Oct 4 because of stiffness in his right back. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Left-hander Lee Seung-hyun was named to start in his place. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Korea Baseball Organization announced the pitching change, saying Pedec had been injured. [ 3 ]
- A Samsung official said Pedec felt the stiffness in his right back while preparing to pitch. [ 3 ]
- Pedec joined Samsung this season as a replacement for Jack O'Loughlin and has a 7-3 record with a 2.95 ERA in 12 games. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Samsung was on a six-game winning streak and trailed first-place KT Wiz by three games. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Pedec had faced Doosan twice this season, going 1-1. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Pedec will not pitch as scheduled against Doosan and Lee Seung-hyun will start instead, a change announced by the KBO. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Pedec's reason for missing the start is a back problem, described by a Samsung official as stiffness in his right back felt while preparing to pitch. [ 1 , 3 ]
- Pedec's 2026 record with Samsung stands at 7 wins and 3 losses with a 2.95 ERA over 12 games. [ 1 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How serious Pedec's back problem is and how many games he might miss. No document states a diagnosis, recovery timeline or expected absence.
- Whether Lee Seung-hyun was already on the roster as a starter or is being moved from the bullpen. The documents only say he was substituted in as the starting pitcher.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Chosun Ilbo reports that Pedec cannot pitch against Doosan on Oct 4 and that Lee Seung-hyun will start in his place. [ 1 ]
- Newsis reports the same starter change, saying Pedec is out with back stiffness. [ 2 ]
- Dong-A Ilbo carries the KBO announcement plus a Samsung official's account that Pedec felt right-back stiffness while preparing to pitch. [ 3 ]