KT Wiz slugger Ahn Hyun-min returns from injury, calls layoff a learning experience

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, June 16 (Yonhap) -- Set for a return to action Tuesday evening after spending the past two months rehabbing a hamstring injury, KT Wiz slugger Ahn Hyun-min said his long layoff was an important learning experience for him.

Ahn, the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Rookie of the Year, last played on April 15 before hitting the sidelines. His rehab lasted much longer than initially expected, and the 22-year-old outfielder tried his best to stay patient and not rush back.

"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 facing the Doosan Bears at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. "And my recovery didn't go as quickly as I wanted, and so it was just a combination of so many bad things."

Ahn had a strong start to this sophomore campaign, putting up a .365/.507/.654 line with three home runs and 11 RBIs in 14 games before getting hurt. As frustrated as he was that he had to be stopped in his tracks, Ahn said he decided to accept his fate and tried to make the best of his plight.

"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," Ahn said. "When I saw other players get hurt last year, I thought I wouldn't have to go through the same thing. 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."

One significant change that Ahn made was to his diet. The hulking slugger with Popeye arms, listed at 183 centimeters and 90 kilograms at the start of the season, showed up noticeably thinner Tuesday. He said he had shed about 5 kg after going cold turkey on hamburgers, fried food and sugary drinks, instead consuming more fish.

"I heard it would be best to get slimmer to lower the risks of another hamstring injury," Ahn said. "And for the long term, I want to become faster and more agile."

After hurting his hamstring, Ahn said he reached out to Kia Tigers superstar Kim Do-yeong, his close friend, World Baseball Classic teammate and the 2024 KBO MVP.

Kim dealt with three separate hamstring injuries that kept him out for more than 100 games last year. Back healthy this year, Kim is putting up big numbers once again, as he sits tied for the league lead with 19 home runs and tied for fourth with 52 RBIs.

"I'd like to thank Do-yeong for everything. I am sure it was difficult for him to share his painful experience from last year, but he gave me so much helpful advice," Ahn said. "I leaned on him so much. It's great to see him play the way he's capable of playing."

The Wiz and the Tigers are scheduled to play a three-game series starting Friday, and Ahn said his only hope now is to get to that moment in one piece.

"Since I got injured, it's become hard to look too far down the road," Ahn said. "I want to take it one game at a time. And if I do get a chance to play against Do-yeong, that will mean I will have stayed healthy this week. So it will be a big relief."