The South Korean team suffered a severe blow in the World Baseball Classic as their 12-team tournament captain Song Sung-mun injured his oblique muscle and may be unable to play.

Major injury news has emerged ahead of the 2026 WBC World Baseball Classic starting this March. Song Sung-mun, the cornerstone hitter for South Korea who just signed a four-year $15 million deal with the San Diego Padres in the offseason, suffered an oblique muscle strain during self-directed training and will likely need a minimum of four weeks to recover. This casts a shadow over South Korea’s hopes to redeem themselves in the tournament, with Korean media describing the national team as being in a "state of emergency."

According to South Korean outlets OSEN and Yonhap News Agency, Song Sung-mun felt discomfort in his oblique during batting practice recently, and after thorough examination, he was diagnosed with an internal oblique muscle injury. Medical assessments indicate that a full return to training will require at least one month. To speed up recovery, Song plans to undergo intensive treatment at a renowned facility in Yokohama, Japan, before heading to Arizona for the Padres’ spring training.

At 29 years old, Song Sung-mun posted outstanding stats last year playing for the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes, hitting .315 with 26 home runs, 90 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. He also served as captain of South Korea’s national team during the 2024 12-team tournament, making him an indispensable offensive leader.

However, this injury came just before the Major League Baseball spring training in February, disrupting his adjustment period for his first year with the Padres and directly affecting the schedule of the Classic starting March 5. Because the oblique injury significantly impacts the torso rotation needed for batting, the Padres organization, aiming to protect their $15 million investment, may adopt a cautious stance on allowing him to participate in the Classic.

South Korean media have reacted pessimistically to the bad news. MK Sports called it the "worst news" for the Korean team; Sports Chosun reported that South Korea will begin their second phase of training on February 15, but it remains uncertain whether Song will rejoin the squad by then. Facing strong group rivals Japan and Chinese Taipei, losing this key player who anchors third base and provides power hitting will pose a serious challenge to South Korea’s chances of advancing.