The KBO said Choi will be unable to participate in the international tournament, which opens next month, after injuring his finger during the Eagles' winter training.
Choi will be replaced by NC Dinos' Kim Hyung-jun. Kim was initially excluded from the roster after suffering a broken palm bone last year but became available thanks to a quick recovery.
Kim previously represented South Korea at the pandemic-delayed Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023, the Asia Professional Baseball Championship in Taiwan that same year, and the 2024 WBSC Premier12, co-hosted by Japan, Mexico and Taiwan.
With several key players such as Hanwha Eagles' pitcher Moon Dong-ju and infielders like Kim Ha-seong of the Atlanta Braves and Song Sung-mun of the San Diego Padres sidelined by injuries, South Korea’s prospects of winning the tournament look dim.
This year's tournament will be held from March 5 to 17, with games played in Houston, Miami, Puerto Rico and Tokyo.
South Korea, grouped with Australia, Chinese Taipei, the Czech Republic, and Japan, will have its opening game against the Czech Republic in Tokyo on March 5.
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