(Xportsnews Incheon, Korea) Kiwoom Heroes first-teamer Ahn Woo-jin (24) is taking some time to regroup. The ace is set to return in a stronger form.

Last year, Ahn threw 196 innings in 30 regular-season games and 222⅔ innings in the postseason. This year, Ahn has continued her bounce-back season. He’s pitched 67⅓ innings in 11 games. He’s on pace for 190 innings this season.

However, Ahn was removed from the 안전놀이터 first team roster on March 31. Kiwoom demoted him to the second team to rest him. When asked about Ahn, Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki said, “There are no plans for him to pitch in the second team. There is a program to digest the ten days of rest. He will go through the process before joining the first team roster. Once he’s on the first team, he’ll start right away.”

There was no specific communication with the ace as he heads to the second team. “I didn’t have a conversation with him. We already talked about the direction of the season, the responsibility of the ace, etc. in camp. I don’t think it’s meaningful to talk about it during the season.”

Initially, Kiwoom wanted to give Ahn Woo-jin a break a little earlier. “It was one tempo too late, I thought it would be better to rest him with a good result, but it was my greed. I have accumulated fatigue from last year and it’s an extension of this year. If the results continue to be good, I will be less tired, but I think I went down (to the second team) in a situation where I was a bit tired physically and psychologically. I think it will be a big boost for the beasts when I come out next after regrouping.”

It hasn’t been pretty for the Bombers this season. Ahn has just three wins (four losses) with a 1.87 ERA. His run support per game is 2.81, the third lowest in the league.

“Even if we gave up one or two runs, we didn’t want to lose and give up even one run, so we pushed ourselves too hard. “It’s part of the game, and it’s the fate of the Aces. There are many more matches to come. I’m sure he’s going to do well,” he said.