KIA Tigers' Lee Eui-ri Nears Comeback: 45-Pitch Live Session Shows Promise After Tommy John Surgery

**The Long-Awaited Return: Lee Eui-ri's Journey Back to the Mound**

After nearly a year of rehabilitation following Tommy John surgery, KIA Tigers' promising left-handed pitcher Lee Eui-ri is finally approaching his return to competitive baseball. On June 15th, 2025, the 23-year-old completed a crucial 45-pitch live session at Hampyeong Challengers Field, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey.

The live pitching session went smoothly, with Lee throwing all his pitches including fastballs, curves, sliders, and changeups. According to KIA officials, there were no complications during the session, and Lee's physical condition appeared stable. While velocity wasn't measured separately, the successful completion of the session represents a major step forward in his rehabilitation process.

This development comes after a challenging period for both Lee and the KIA organization. The young pitcher underwent elbow ligament reconstruction surgery in June 2024, sidelining him for what would become nearly a full season of recovery and rehabilitation.

**The Tommy John Surgery Journey: Understanding the Challenge**

Lee Eui-ri's path to recovery began in June 2024 when he was diagnosed with partial damage to his left elbow's ulnar collateral ligament. After consultations with multiple medical facilities on May 31st and June 1st, 2024, the decision was made to proceed with surgery rather than conservative treatment.

The surgery, formally known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction or Tommy John surgery, was performed at Yokohama Minami Hospital in Japan on June 20th, 2024. This procedure involves replacing the damaged ligament with a tendon graft, typically taken from elsewhere in the patient's body. The surgery also included the removal of bone fragments that had developed in Lee's elbow.

Tommy John surgery has become increasingly common in professional baseball, with recovery times typically ranging from 12 to 18 months. The procedure has a high success rate, with approximately 80-90% of pitchers returning to their previous performance levels or better. Notable recent examples include KT Wiz's So Hyeong-jun, who successfully returned to top-level performance after his own Tommy John surgery in 2023.

**Rehabilitation Progress: A Cautious but Steady Approach**

Throughout his rehabilitation, KIA has maintained a conservative approach to Lee's recovery. The organization initially targeted a June 2025 return, and despite Lee's faster-than-expected progress, they've stuck to their cautious timeline to prevent re-injury.

During spring training in the United States, Lee participated in bullpen sessions and showed encouraging signs. By February 2025, he was throwing fastballs at 142-143 km/h at 80% effort, leading manager Lee Beom-ho to comment that Lee could potentially return earlier than planned. However, the team chose to maintain their original timeline to ensure long-term health.

The rehabilitation process hit a minor setback in late May 2025 when an MRI revealed elbow inflammation. While not serious, this discovery led to a two-week pause in his throwing program. KIA officials described it as common inflammation that occurs during post-surgical rehabilitation, but the team took no chances, emphasizing their commitment to Lee's long-term health over short-term gains.

**Recent Developments: Live Pitching Success**

The June 15th live pitching session represents the culmination of months of careful preparation. Lee threw 45 pitches total, demonstrating command of his full repertoire including his signature breaking balls. The session was conducted at KIA's secondary training facility in Hampyeong, with team officials closely monitoring his mechanics and physical response.

Originally, Lee was scheduled to make his first competitive appearance in a Futures League game against NC Dinos on June 14th. However, the team decided to conduct one additional live pitching session instead, citing weather conditions and the desire for extra caution as factors in the decision.

This decision reflects KIA's methodical approach to Lee's return. Rather than rushing him into game action, they've prioritized ensuring his complete readiness. Team officials stated that Lee's future schedule will be determined through discussions with the coaching staff, indicating that his next steps will be carefully planned.

**Fan and Community Reactions: Anticipation Builds**

The Korean baseball community has been eagerly following Lee's recovery progress. On popular forums like DC Inside and FM Korea, fans have expressed both excitement and cautious optimism about his return. Many supporters have praised KIA's patient approach, drawing parallels to other successful Tommy John recoveries in Korean baseball.

Positive reactions have dominated online discussions, with fans noting Lee's young age (23) as a significant advantage in his recovery. Comments on Naver Sports and other platforms show strong support for the pitcher, with many expressing confidence that he'll return stronger than before.

Some fans have expressed concern about the team's cautious timeline, given KIA's current pitching needs, but the majority support the organization's long-term thinking. The comparison to So Hyeong-jun's successful comeback has been frequently mentioned, providing hope for Lee's own return to form.

**Looking Ahead: Timeline and Expectations**

Based on current progress, Lee is expected to make his competitive return through the Futures League in the coming weeks. If he performs well in approximately three Futures League appearances, he could rejoin the KIA first team by early July 2025.

Manager Lee Beom-ho has indicated that Lee's return will provide significant depth to KIA's rotation. The team has been managing with their current starters, but Lee's return would allow for better rest and rotation management throughout the season's second half.

The successful completion of live pitching represents more than just a personal milestone for Lee – it's a crucial step toward strengthening KIA's championship aspirations. As a former 10-game winner in both 2022 and 2023, Lee's return could provide the boost KIA needs for another strong finish to the season.

**The Bigger Picture: Impact on KIA's Season**

Lee Eui-ri's impending return comes at a crucial time for KIA Tigers. The team has been managing their pitching rotation carefully throughout the first half of the 2025 season, and Lee's addition would provide valuable depth and flexibility.

His pre-injury performance statistics – 26 wins and 22 losses over 80 games with a 3.89 ERA – demonstrate his value to the organization. More importantly, his consecutive 10-win seasons in 2022 and 2023 established him as a reliable starter capable of handling significant innings.

The cultural significance of Lee's return extends beyond statistics. As a homegrown talent from Gwangju, graduating from local schools before joining KIA as their first-round pick in 2021, he represents the organization's commitment to developing local talent. His successful comeback would serve as an inspiration for other young players facing similar challenges and demonstrate KIA's patient, long-term approach to player development.