{
  "id": 18654348,
  "title": "Lions manager benches injured catcher for 1st time in postseason",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/lions-manager-benches-injured-catcher-for-1st-time-in-postseason-18654348",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-07T06:42:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/sports/20261107/lions-manager-benches-injured-catcher-for-1st-time-in-postseason"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the first postseason benching of his career, Samsung Lions catcher Kang Min-ho was replaced for Game 4 of the Korean Series on Saturday. 41-year-old Kang had started all eight previous postseason games despite suffering from an oblique injury. Manager Park Jin-man substituted him with 26-year-old backup Kim Do-hwan. The Lions secured a 5-1 victory over KT Wiz, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series. The following day, they will face the same opponent in a back-to-back night and day game. Kang, who is currently batting 0-for-6 in the series, had been in the lineup primarily due to his defensive abilities. Manager Park explained that it was time to give Kang a break. Kim, who will make his first career postseason start, will face a 19-year-old pitcher, Jang Chan-hee. This will also be Jang's debut in a postseason game, having been a third-round pick in the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization draft. Park expressed hope that both young catchers would provide energy and enthusiasm during the game.",
  "summary": "DAEGU — After starting eight consecutive postseason games for the Samsung Lions despite dealing with an oblique injury, catcher Kang Min-ho was benched for the start of Game 4 of the Korean Series on Saturday. Manager Park Jin-man replaced the 41-year-old Kang with the 26-year-old backstop Kim Do-hwan. The Lions defeated the KT Wiz 5-1 in a Friday evening game to take a 2-1 lead in the…",
  "key_points": [
    "Samsung Lions bench injured catcher Kang Min-ho for first time in postseason",
    "Manager Park Jin-man substitutes 26-year-old Kim Do-hwan in Game 4",
    "Lions take 2-1 lead in best-of-seven series against KT Wiz"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Prioritizing fresh legs over veteran defensive stability signals a tactical shift toward youth as the Lions attempt to secure their lead in the Korean Series.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Yonhap News",
        "title": "Lions manager benches injured catcher for 1st time in postseason",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/lions-manager-benches-injured-catcher-for-1st-time-in-postseason",
        "published": "2026-11-07T02:57:19.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}