With just two weeks to go before the World Baseball Classic (WBC) begins, the South Korean national team has suffered another setback due to injuries. Manager Ryu Ji-hyun announced that the player selected as the closer, Riley O'Brien from the St. Louis Cardinals, has been sidelined with calf muscle discomfort that he experienced during a team training session. The Cardinals confirmed on their official website that O'Brien felt a mild strain in his right calf while pitching in the bullpen on the 15th and has not thrown since, raising concerns about his fitness for the tournament.

O'Brien's absence is a significant loss for the team, as he is one of four Korean athletes joining the WBC squad, known for his fast pitching, which was expected to strengthen the team's bullpen. Prior to O'Brien's injury, the team had already dealt with injuries to other key players, including Song Seung-moon and Kim Ha-seong. To fill the gap left by O'Brien, manager Ryu has decided to replace him with Kim Taek-yeon, the closer for the Doosan Bears, adding depth to the pitching staff as they prepare for the competition.

In a statement on the 19th via the KBO, O'Brien expressed his disappointment at not being able to join the national team, highlighting that being selected was a significant achievement for him and his family, who had planned a trip to Japan to support him. He acknowledged the importance of prioritizing his health and recovery for the upcoming season and extended his best wishes for the success of the South Korean team, hoping to represent his country again in the future. The team has been training in Okinawa, Japan, since the 16th and is scheduled to play practice games starting on the 20th against teams such as the Samsung Lions and Hanwha Eagles.