Gu Ja-wook returned to the lineup as a designated hitter in a Samsung Lions intrasquad game, batting third, according to 조선일보 and OSEN. The appearance marked his comeback from a hamstring injury and served as a test of his timing at the plate ahead of the postseason.
The headline carried by 조선일보 and OSEN quotes Gu's focus on the team's goal, referring to needing just seven more wins. The same reports say a Japanese coach on the staff was impressed by Gu's drive despite the injury. Choi Hyung-woo played left field in the same game, per 조선일보, as Samsung used the scrimmage to simulate real game conditions.
Further context from 머니투데이 and 스포츠경향: the intrasquad game also drew Samsung's foreign one-two starting pitchers and its late-inning relief corps, with the club checking velocity and sharpness. 스포츠경향 reported that the game was arranged with the postseason in mind, and 머니투데이 described the team's autumn preparations as proceeding smoothly.
Samsung's next step is to confirm Gu's readiness through further game action and to settle its pitching plans before the postseason begins.
