Kim Do-young joins Asian Games squad despite nasal fracture

KIA Tigers third baseman Kim Do-young has joined the South Korean national baseball team for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games despite suffering a nasal bone fracture. Kim underwent surgery to realign the bone after being struck by a ball during a recent game, but he has demonstrated a strong will to compete by returning to play for his club shortly after the procedure.

Kim's departure for the national team creates a significant void for the KIA Tigers, who are currently competing for a top position in the KBO League. The team's management faces the challenge of covering his absence for approximately two weeks. Initial plans to use Park Min to fill the third base position have been complicated by Park's recent shoulder dislocation. Consequently, the team is looking toward utility players such as Byeon Woo-hyuk and Kim Kyu-sung to manage the defensive and offensive gap left by Kim's absence.

Medical experts have advised caution regarding Kim's participation to prevent re-injury. While he is cleared for training, specialists emphasize that the fractured bone must stabilize to avoid permanent deformity or functional issues, particularly given the high risk of facial impact in professional baseball.