The KBO’s Samsung Lions had a successful season in 2024. They finished the regular season 78-64-2 and defeated the LG Twins in the Playoff series to advance to the Korean Series, where they were defeated by the Kia Tigers four games to one.
Despite their strong season, recent reports revealed that the team training staff failed to communicate appropriately with the coaching staff regarding player injuries. According to KBO in English on X, an investigation has shown that a member of the Lions’ training staff made unclear statements about multiple players’ medical tests to the coaching staff. The poor communication led to confusion within the organization, and players continued to take the field with nagging or even, sometimes, serious injuries.
KBO in English on X reported Monday that the Lions demoted the training staff employee to the KBO Futures League, the KBO’s farm league. The employee’s negligence led to false rumors of players faking injuries, especially allegations against outfielder Ruben Cardenas.
Reportedly, Cardenas complained to the coaching staff about pain in his obliques during the 2024 season but was ignored and continued to play. The coaches believed Cardenas was faking an injury. If the training staff did not report the seriousness of the outfielder’s injury to the coaching staff, would there be a reason to think they weren’t receiving the full story? As it turns out, yes.
The investigation also revealed Cardenas continued to play after he underwent further testing. According to the report made by KBO in English, Cardenas sought help from his brother, a strength coach in the United States. Cardenas sent his brother his most recent MRI results, which revealed serious injury to both of his oblique muscles. Despite the new MRI results, the coaching staff trusted the original reports from the training staff, which showed no injury to the 27-year-old’s obliques. Cardenas is no longer under contract with the Lions, as he signed a one-year, $600,000 contract with the Kiwoom Heroes on November 25.
KBO in English on X reported on Thursday, December 12, that multiple players on the Lions often received less treatment than the necessary hospital tests or care, including acupuncture. Players complaining about pain also received suspiciously quick confirmations that they could return to the field, even though they were still at a point where they should have been left off the starting lineup or placed on the injured list. The KBO announced Lions’ players went on the IL 29 times in 2024, 12 more times than the 2023 KBO season.
According to The Dong-A Ilbo, a Korean daily newspaper, the Lions have spent 10.2 billion won (approximately $7,104,053.49) on free agents this offseason. The last offseason the Lions spent 10 billion won or more on free agents was in the winter of 2004 when the club invested 15 billion in the free agent market.
The Lions must ensure that the safety of any players they sign this offseason and any injuries they might endure throughout the 2025 season are top priorities amongst the organization’s members. To a certain extent, the training staff will need to regain the players’ trust.
