“The Medical Certificate Has Been Submitted”: KIM Do-young, Discharged Today, Faces a Tense 48 Hours That Could Decide His Trip to Nagoya

[Financial News] Can KIM Do-young (22), the Kia Tigers’ “40-home-run prodigy” who underwent surgery for a nasal bone fracture, wear the national-team uniform and board a flight to Nagoya? The decisive weekend that will determine the final roster for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games baseball team has arrived.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Strengthening Committee and national-team manager Ryu Ji-hyun will decide on July 12 and 13 whether KIM Do-young will ultimately join the team.
KIM Do-young, who underwent reduction surgery for a nasal bone fracture after being hit in the face by a bunt attempt during the game against the NC Dinos on the 9th, will be discharged from the hospital on the 11th. Ryu Ji-hyun said, “The Kia Tigers have agreed to submit KIM Do-young’s medical certificate and the medical staff’s opinion to the Strengthening Committee on the 11th.” He added, “We will not simply review the documents. We will comprehensively monitor the player’s recovery speed and progress through the weekend before making a final decision.”
The Kia bench has not removed KIM Do-young from the first-team roster. Instead, it is weighing when he can join the team while supporting his strong desire to play. Since the surgery went well and he avoided a serious, season-ending injury, the national team also intends to wait for a miraculous recovery until the last moment rather than hastily use a replacement.
The problem extends beyond KIM Do-young, with signs of a chain reaction of injuries in the national team’s infield. Moon Bo-kyung of the LG Twins, another key third-base option, has recently been unable to handle defensive duties normally for his club because of back pain.

If KIM Do-young cannot immediately play third-base defense because sharply hit balls could pose a risk following his nasal bone surgery, and Moon Bo-kyung is also unable to defend and must serve as the designated hitter, Ryu Ji-hyun’s infield plans will be shaken to their foundations. Even if Roh Si-hwan of the Hanwha Eagles is moved to third base, the team would be left with far too few options to cover first base.
Ryu said firmly, “I have been informed that Moon Bo-kyung will begin playing in actual games as a designated hitter for his club this weekend. After watching all of Moon Bo-kyung’s game appearances over the weekend, I will finalize the composition of the national team’s infield.”
The national team is scheduled to convene on the 14th, undergo a short training period and practice games, and then leave for Nagoya, Japan, next week. With the KBO Strengthening Committee facing a major obstacle in the form of injuries to its 40-home-run hitter and other core players, the baseball world is watching closely to see what cool-headed decision it will make during the remaining 48 hours.
[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter