Kwak Do-gyu Injury Deepens Korea’s APBC Pitching Losses
Kwak Do-gyu will miss the 2026 APBC with a left thigh injury, becoming the third pitcher to withdraw from South Korea’s roster.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 2 min read 
South Korea has lost KIA Tigers left-hander Kwak Do-gyu to a left thigh injury, making him the third pitcher ruled out of the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship just one week before the tournament opens at Tokyo Dome.
The Korea Baseball Organization confirmed Kwak’s withdrawal on Thursday, November 5. The 22-year-old had been part of Korea’s 33-player provisional group and was positioned to give manager Choi Won-ho a proven left-handed option in a staff already reshaped by injuries and the ongoing Korean Series.
- Player: Kwak Do-gyu, KIA Tigers left-handed reliever
- Injury: Left thigh
- Tournament: 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship
- Dates: November 12–15 at Tokyo Dome
- Korea’s opener: November 12 against Australia
Korea loses a third pitcher before the APBC
Kwak follows Doosan Bears right-hander Choi Min-seok and NC Dinos right-hander Shin Young-woo out of the squad. Both were removed on November 2 because of right elbow injuries.
The three withdrawals leave 16 pitchers from the original provisional group. That number includes Samsung Lions pitchers Jang Chan-hee and Bae Chan-seung, whose availability is complicated by their club’s Korean Series against the KT Wiz.
Korea initially selected 33 players with the expectation that the list would be reduced to 28. The larger group gave selectors flexibility around postseason workloads and injuries, but losing three pitchers in four days has narrowed those options before the team travels to Japan on November 9.
Kwak’s absence removes an experienced left-handed reliever
Kwak returned from elbow surgery in May and worked his way back into an important role for KIA. He finished the 2026 regular season with a 2.81 ERA in 44 appearances, recording two wins, two saves and 11 holds across 32 innings. He struck out 36 batters and allowed 29 hits.
He also made six postseason appearances for the Tigers. That experience, combined with his ability to attack left-handed hitters from a difficult angle, made him a useful fit for a short international tournament in which bullpen matchups can decide games quickly.
His withdrawal means Korea will enter its final training days without one of its most established young relief arms. No replacement was announced with the KBO’s injury notice.
Tokyo schedule leaves little recovery time
The APBC brings together young professional players from South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei and Australia. Korea opens against Australia on November 12, then faces Japan on November 13 and Chinese Taipei on November 14. The top two teams advance to the championship game on November 15, while the remaining teams play for third place.
Korea is scheduled to train in Daejeon through November 8 before departing for Tokyo the following day. With the tournament beginning three days later, the remaining pitchers will have little time to absorb any role changes created by the latest injury.
