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SEOUL – After spending two months on the sidelines with a hamstring injury, KT Wiz outfielder Ahn Hyun-min made his much-anticipated return to the lineup on Tuesday, helping his team secure a 6-2 victory over the Doosan Bears. But beyond the box score, Ahn said the layoff was an important learning experience that taught him how to better care for his body.

The 22-year-old, who was named the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Rookie of the Year, last played on April 15 before hitting the injured list. His rehabilitation took longer than initially expected, and he admitted the road back was frustrating.

"Honestly, I wanted to be back much earlier than this, but I guess the injury was more serious than I thought at first," Ahn told reporters before the game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "My recovery didn't go as quickly as I wanted, and so it was just a combination of so many bad things."

Coverage Comparison

All reporting on this story comes from Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's leading wire service, which covered both the pre-game press conference and the game itself. The reports are consistent, with one article focusing on Ahn's personal reflections and another detailing the game's key moments, including starting pitcher Ko Young-pyo's performance and Sam Hilliard's two-run home run.

Key Claims

Ahn had a strong start to his sophomore campaign before the injury, posting a .365/.507/.654 slash line with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 14 games. The injury, though, prompted him to make significant changes. According to Yonhap, Ahn decided to go "cold turkey" on hamburgers, fried foods, and sugary drinks, shifting to a diet richer in fish. He shed approximately 5 kilograms, appearing noticeably thinner at his return.

"When I saw other players get hurt last year, I thought I wouldn't have to go through the same thing," Ahn said. "But during my rehab this year, I had a chance to learn more about how to exercise and take care of my body. I realized I had been doing a few things the wrong way and I had an opportunity to fix that."

Ahn also reached out to Kia Tigers superstar Kim Do-yeong, his close friend, World Baseball Classic teammate, and the 2024 KBO MVP, for advice on handling the hamstring injury.

In Tuesday's game, Ahn contributed two RBIs, both on groundouts in key situations. His first RBI came in the four-run third inning, when his groundout put the Wiz up 2-1. He added another in the fifth inning with a broken-bat single.

Perspectives

Ahn's return was a bright spot for the KT Wiz, who improved to 39-25-1 and remained in second place in the KBO standings. Starter Ko Young-pyo earned his fourth consecutive win, holding the Bears to two runs over six innings. Sam Hilliard's two-run homer in the third inning extended the lead, his first since May 28.

The Doosan Bears, despite outhitting the Wiz 11-10, fell to 33-32-2 but remained in fifth place.

Ahn's reflections underscore a broader theme in professional sports: how athletes cope with setbacks and turn them into growth opportunities. His decision to adjust his diet and seek advice from a peer highlights the importance of both physical and mental preparation in a long season. As Ahn put it, "I decided I was going to get hurt at some point anyway and it was better to be injured this early in the season than later."