Quick access to main page (top) Direct access to main contents Quick access to main page (bottom)

2026 WBC: NC Kim Hyung-jun Joins as Replacement for Injured Choi Jae-hoon

Daniel Kim Views  

Kim Hyung-jun / Photo = DB

NC Dinos’ Kim Hyung-jun to Replace Injured Choi Jae-hoon on Team Korea for 2026 WBC The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) has announced that Kim Hyung-jun of the NC Dinos will join the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team, replacing Choi Jae-hoon of the Hanwha Eagles who suffered a finger fracture. On February 10th, the KBO’s Technical Committee confirmed Kim as the replacement for Choi, who is unable to participate in the WBC due to his injury. The original 30-man roster included Park Dong-won of the LG Twins and Choi as catchers. However, Choi’s recent finger injury during Hanwha’s winter training necessitated the change. Kim, known for his power at the plate, posted a .232 batting average with 18 home runs and 55 RBIs in the 2025 season, along with a .734 OPS. His defensive prowess was also recognized last season when he won the KBO League’s Best Defensive Catcher award. Despite playing through a broken bone in his palm during last year’s postseason, Kim has shown remarkable recovery. Initially left off the WBC roster to focus on rehabilitation, his rapid improvement has now earned him a spot on the national team. Kim brings international experience to Team Korea, having competed in the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), and the 2024 World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier12 tournament.

sports@stoo.com]
「The most engaging and fun news ⓒ Sports Today」

Daniel Kim
content@tenbizt.com

[Sports] Latest Stories

  • Pelé’s 1958 World Cup Jersey Heading to Auction: Could It Hit $6.8M?
    Pelé’s 1958 World Cup Jersey Heading to Auction: Could It Hit $6.8M?
  • Beyond Rookie of the Year? Why JJ Wetherholt Is MLB’s Newest Phenom
    Beyond Rookie of the Year? Why JJ Wetherholt Is MLB's Newest Phenom
  • Can LPGA Star So-mi Lee Secure Her First Major at the U.S. Women’s Open?
    Can LPGA Star So-mi Lee Secure Her First Major at the U.S. Women's Open?
  • LA Sparks Fall to Aces: What Happened in Park Ji-hyun’s 4-Minute Debut?
    LA Sparks Fall to Aces: What Happened in Park Ji-hyun's 4-Minute Debut?
  • Islam Makhachev Predicts Topuria vs. Gaethje Outcome for UFC Freedom 250
    Islam Makhachev Predicts Topuria vs. Gaethje Outcome for UFC Freedom 250
  • Lee Jung-hoo’s Scorching Comeback: 10-Game Hitting Streak for Giants Star
    Lee Jung-hoo’s Scorching Comeback: 10-Game Hitting Streak for Giants Star

Weekly Best Articles

  • Choi Dong-seok’s Family Bond: How a Simple Engraving Reveals Deep Love for His Children
  • Kwak Sun-hee’s Stunning Wedding Photos: A Celebration of Love and Courage
  • Is ‘I Am a Natural Person’ Just a Big Lie? Comedian Yoon-taek Reveals Shocking Secrets!
  • Health Scare: Why Fans Are Worried About Go Ji Yong’s Dramatic Weight Loss
  • Discover the Winter Gongju Chestnut Festival: A Taste of Korea at H-Mart in the USA!
  • 2026 Spring Wildfire Prevention: How Gyeryong City is Cutting Response Time to 30 Minutes!

You May Also Like

  • 1
    Trump Slashes AI Review Window to 30 Days Amid National Security Debate

    Politics 

    Trump Slashes AI Review Window to 30 Days Amid National Security Debate
  • 2
    Ukraine’s EU Bid Surges as Hungary Drops Opposition Amid Russian Attacks

    Politics 

    Ukraine’s EU Bid Surges as Hungary Drops Opposition Amid Russian Attacks
  • 3
    Trump Backs Colombia's 'El Tigre' — What It Means for U.S. Relations

    Politics 

    Trump Backs Colombia’s ‘El Tigre’ — What It Means for U.S. Relations
  • 4
    Trump Backs Colombia's Far-Right Outsider—What's at Stake?

    Politics 

    Trump Backs Colombia’s Far-Right Outsider—What’s at Stake?
  • 5
    12.5% Tariff Hit: South Korea Faces New U.S. Trade Penalties

    Politics 

    12.5% Tariff Hit: South Korea Faces New U.S. Trade Penalties

Popular Now

  • 1
    12.5% Tariff Alert: Why the U.S. Is Targeting South Korean Imports

    Politics 

  • 2
    Marta Kostyuk Makes History at French Open Amid Ukraine Crisis

    Politics 

  • 3
    37 Years in Exile: The Tiananmen Leader Who Just Wants to Go Home

    Politics 

  • 4
    South Korea's Cheongju Airport Faces Crisis as Passenger Numbers Explode

    Politics 

  • 5
    Nuclear Submarine Race: South Korea's High-Stakes Bid for U.S. Fuel

    Politics 

Weekly Best Articles

  • Choi Dong-seok’s Family Bond: How a Simple Engraving Reveals Deep Love for His Children
  • Kwak Sun-hee’s Stunning Wedding Photos: A Celebration of Love and Courage
  • Is ‘I Am a Natural Person’ Just a Big Lie? Comedian Yoon-taek Reveals Shocking Secrets!
  • Health Scare: Why Fans Are Worried About Go Ji Yong’s Dramatic Weight Loss
  • Discover the Winter Gongju Chestnut Festival: A Taste of Korea at H-Mart in the USA!
  • 2026 Spring Wildfire Prevention: How Gyeryong City is Cutting Response Time to 30 Minutes!

Must-Reads

  • 1
    Trump Slashes AI Review Window to 30 Days Amid National Security Debate

    Politics 

    Trump Slashes AI Review Window to 30 Days Amid National Security Debate
  • 2
    Ukraine’s EU Bid Surges as Hungary Drops Opposition Amid Russian Attacks

    Politics 

    Ukraine’s EU Bid Surges as Hungary Drops Opposition Amid Russian Attacks
  • 3
    Trump Backs Colombia's 'El Tigre' — What It Means for U.S. Relations

    Politics 

    Trump Backs Colombia’s ‘El Tigre’ — What It Means for U.S. Relations
  • 4
    Trump Backs Colombia's Far-Right Outsider—What's at Stake?

    Politics 

    Trump Backs Colombia’s Far-Right Outsider—What’s at Stake?
  • 5
    12.5% Tariff Hit: South Korea Faces New U.S. Trade Penalties

    Politics 

    12.5% Tariff Hit: South Korea Faces New U.S. Trade Penalties

Popular Now

  • 1
    12.5% Tariff Alert: Why the U.S. Is Targeting South Korean Imports

    Politics 

  • 2
    Marta Kostyuk Makes History at French Open Amid Ukraine Crisis

    Politics 

  • 3
    37 Years in Exile: The Tiananmen Leader Who Just Wants to Go Home

    Politics 

  • 4
    South Korea's Cheongju Airport Faces Crisis as Passenger Numbers Explode

    Politics 

  • 5
    Nuclear Submarine Race: South Korea's High-Stakes Bid for U.S. Fuel

    Politics 

Share it on...