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Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyong has moved to quell concerns that catcher Yang Eui-ji's early-season offensive struggles are spilling into his defensive game, asserting that the veteran's approach behind the plate remains unaffected.

"I think his defense and batting are two separate things," Kim said during his media availability, according to Yonhap News. "He just happened to have a lot of pitches in the dirt last night. Even someone as great as Yang Eui-ji can have a game like that."

Yang, 38, entered the season with a lifetime .310 batting average over 1,963 games and won the 2025 KBO batting title with a .337 mark. However, he managed just three hits in 32 at-bats to open the 2026 campaign, a .094 clip.

In Tuesday's 5-2 loss to the Heroes, Yang was charged with a passed ball and also let a third strike get past him, allowing a run to score. The Bears' pitching staff combined for four wild pitches in the contest.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News reported that Kim's comments came before Yang started Wednesday's game as designated hitter, a move Kim said was made to manage the 38-year-old's workload rather than a reflection of his defensive performance.

Separate game reporting from the same outlet detailed Yang's offensive breakthrough in the Bears' 7-3 win over the Heroes on Wednesday, where he collected his first two RBIs of the season, including his first extra-base hit.

Key Claims

  • Yang Eui-ji is batting .094 in the early 2026 season, with three hits in 32 at-bats.
  • Yang won the 2025 KBO batting title with a .337 average and has a lifetime .310 average in 1,963 games.
  • Manager Kim Won-hyong said Yang's defense and batting are separate matters.
  • Yang was charged with a passed ball and allowed a wild pitch to score in Tuesday's loss to the Heroes.
  • Yang had two RBIs in Wednesday's 7-3 win over the Heroes.
  • Starter Choi Min-seok pitched 5 2/3 scoreless innings for his first win of the season.
  • The Bears improved to 3-6-1, while the Heroes fell to 3-7-0.
  • The Heroes committed three errors and walked six batters in the loss.
  • The Bears signed former KT Wiz pitcher Wes Benjamin as a temporary replacement for the injured Chris Flexen.

Perspectives

Yang's early-season struggles are notable given his career track record, but manager Kim's public vote of confidence suggests the coaching staff believes the slump is temporary. The decision to rest Yang as DH for one game indicates a cautious approach to managing his workload as the long season continues.

From the Heroes' perspective, the team's defensive miscues were a clear factor in the loss, with three errors and six walks contributing to the Bears' offensive output. Heroes manager Hong Won-ki may look to shore up those fundamentals as the team looks to turn its season around.

Yang's performance will be a storyline to watch in the coming weeks, as the veteran catcher looks to regain his form while continuing to handle the pitching staff.

This article is based on reporting from Yonhap News. Additional information about the Bears' move to sign Benjamin was reported in the same outlet.