Dodgers, Yankees, White Sox big winners at MLB trade deadline

The Los Angeles Dodgers were the biggest buyers during the deadline for the Major League Baseball player-trade on Monday, adding pitching reinforcements to solidify an already strong roster as the presumptive World Series favorites. The Dodgers, in first place in the National League West at 74-31 with a commanding 14 game lead, were already a virtual lock for the playoffs. Playoff predictors from sites such as Fangraphs and FiveThirtyEight both put the Dodgers at over 99 percent odds to take the

Aug. 1, 2017

Korean baseball league to open draft for overseas-based players

The top South Korean baseball league said Monday it will open its annual draft to overseas-based amateurs and ex-professionals with Korean passports.The Korea Baseball Organization said it started accepting applications on Monday, and the deadline is Aug. 11. The draft is Sept. 11.Those who finished high school in South Korea and played for foreign professional clubs without having competed in the KBO may enter the draft, as long as their initial pro contract expired before Jan. 31, 2016.Oversea

Aug. 1, 2017

Ex-US pitcher promoted as pitching coach for former KBO club

Former Korea Baseball Organization pitcher Brandon Knight was promoted to pitching coach for his former club Monday.The Nexen Heroes announced they've brought up Knight from their minor league club in the Futures League. Knight, who pitched for the Heroes from 2011 to 2014, had been the pitching coordinator for the Heroes' Futures League club since the fall of 2015.The 41-year-old American is taking over from Park Seung-min, who will now be the main pitching coach in the Futures League.The Heroe

July 31, 2017

Ryu throws 7 strong, Dodgers walk-off Giants for sweep

Ryu Hyun-jin threw seven shutout innings for the Los Angeles Dodgers, but did not receive a decision in the Dodgers’ 3-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night. Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin delivers a pitch in a game on July 30, 2017. (Yonhap)Ryu was masterful, scattering five hits and a walk over his seven innings pitched, also striking out seven. He did not allow a baserunner to reach second base until the seventh inning, aided greatly by his defense, which

July 31, 2017

In possible playoff preview, Tigers, Bears split tight weekend series

In a possible playoff preview, the first place Kia Tigers came to Jamsil Stadium on Friday for a three-game series against the third-place Doosan Bears -- the winners of the last two Korea Baseball Organization championships. Doosan entered the series on a hot streak, having won their last seven games, but Kia came in with a three-game win streak of its own.  Kia Tigers left fielder Choi Hyoung-woo (L) congratulated after singling in a game on July 28, 2017. (Yonhap)The vaunted Tigers offense st

July 31, 2017

First-place baseball club trades for reigning saves leader

The best team in South Korean baseball traded for last year's saves leader on Monday, hoping to bolster a shaky bullpen with an eye on the championship.The Kia Tigers in the Korea Baseball Organization acquired right-hander Kim Se-hyun from the Nexen Heroes as part of a four-player deal.The Tigers, in first place with a 63-33-1 (wins-losses-ties) record, are also getting outfielder You Jae-sin and sent two left-handers, Son Dong-wook and Lee Seung-ho, the other way. In this file photo taken on O

July 31, 2017

Adrian Beltre collects 3,000th hit

Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre stands at second base after collecting his 3000th hit on July 30, 2017. (Yonhap)Texas Rangers’ third baseman Adrian Beltre doubled in the fourth inning of the Rangers’ Sunday game against the Orioles for his 3,000th career hit, becoming only the 31st player in major league history to reach that mark. However, the visiting Orioles spoiled the day, pounding Rangers starter Martin Perez for 8 runs and a 10-6 victory.Beltre entered the game at 2,999 hits. He

July 31, 2017

Inaugural pro baseball tournament to open with Korea-Japan showdown

The inaugural Asian professional baseball tournament will start this fall with a showdown between archrivals South Korea and Japan.The Korea Baseball Organization on Monday released the schedules for the Asia Professional Baseball Championship, which will be played from Nov. 16 to 19 at Tokyo Dome. It will feature players from professional leagues in South Korea, Japan and Chinese Taipei.The opener will pit South Korea against Japan on Nov. 16. South Korea will then face Chinese Taipei the follo

July 31, 2017

Korean Kim Hyun-soo traded by Orioles to Phillies

South Korean outfielder Kim Hyun-soo has been traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Philadelphia Phillies.The O's sent Kim, left-hander Garrett Cleavinger and international amateur signing bonus pool space to the Phillies on Friday (local time) in exchange for right-handed starter Jeremy Hellickson and cash considerations.Kim, 29, joined the O's before last season after an All-Star career in the Korea Baseball Organization. He becomes a free agent after the current season, and the deal ends a l

July 30, 2017

Korean Hwang Jae-gyun rejoins San Francisco Giants

South Korean infielder Hwang Jae-gyun is back with the San Francisco Giants after spending six days in the minor leagues.The Giants recalled Hwang from Triple-A Sacramento on Friday (local time), just six days after optioning him to the minors. It was also Hwang's 30th birthday.Hwang had to spend at least 10 days there unless he was replacing an injured player. The Giants placed right-hander Chris Stratton on the disabled list with a calf injury to make room for Hwang.Hwang batted sixth and play

July 30, 2017

Concerns raised over workload of Lotte’s star rookie Park Se-woong

When Lotte Giants ace Park Se-woong takes the mound tonight against the Hanhwa Eagles, it will be the young starter’s fifth attempt at collecting his 10th win of the season. However, while Lotte fans and observers have enjoyed the success of their star rookie, there have been recent concerns raised about his health and condition.On June 25, Park collected his ninth win of the season, throwing 6 2/3 innings of 2 run ball against the Doosan Bears. However since then, he has had 4 starts without co

July 27, 2017

LG's Hwangmok hero with acrobatic, game-tying slide

Backup infielder Hwangmok Chi-seung was the hero for the LG Twins’ in their stunning comeback victory against the Nexen Heroes last night. Hwangmok scored the two-out, game-tying run in the bottom of the ninth inning, taking home plate with a skillful acrobatic slide.LG entered the bottom of the ninth inning trailing 3-1, and when pinch hitter Chae Eun-seong grounded out to open the frame, it seemed they would fade without a fight. But then right fielder Lee Cheon-woong drew a four-pitch walk, a

July 27, 2017

Contrasting fates for baseball's bottom feeders in season's 2nd half

Two of the bottom feeders in South Korean baseball are headed in opposite directions with the second half of the season in full swing.The Samsung Lions and the Hanwha Eagles have traded places in the Korea Baseball Organization standings. The Lions (38-53-4 in wins-losses-ties) moved to the sole possession of eighth place in the 10-team league for the first time last Sunday, while the Eagles (36-55-1), mired in a seven-game losing streak, have slipped to ninth place.Make no mistake, these two cl

July 27, 2017

The sudden rise of Wyverns right fielder Han Dong-min

SK Wyverns right fielder Han Dong-min has come out of nowhere. Just over halfway into his fifth season in the Korean Baseball Organization, he has already posted career highs in every single offensive stat.One thing that has changed for Han is playing time. This season he has a starting role for the first time in his career. But playing time alone cannot account for his stark difference in performance. In the first 179 games of his career, Han collected 2.11 wins above replacement level, a cumul

July 26, 2017

Teams going in opposite directions in bunched up baseball standings

A little over a week into the second half of the season, five clubs find themselves bunched up in the middle of the Korea Baseball Organization standings.At the top, the Kia Tigers and the NC Dinos have put some distance between themselves and the rest. The Tigers are in first at 60-32 and are leading the Dinos by five.The Doosan Bears, two-time defending champs, are another five back of the Dinos in third place at 48-40-1 (wins-losses-ties).Then it gets interesting. Players of the Lotte Giants

July 26, 2017

Pitching woes at bottom of Wyverns’ July skid

The SK Wyverns are starting to come undone. The team has dropped their past five games and is barely clinging onto the final playoff spot, leading the sixth place LG Twins by a single game.The biggest problem for SK of late has been the pitfall of the “big inning,” where an opponent scores five or more runs in their half of the inning.As of Monday, SK had played 18 games in July and conceded a big inning a staggering eight times.As might be expected, they lost six of the seven games where they g

July 26, 2017

Ex-KBO MVP clears waivers, ineligible for 2017

Former South Korean pro baseball MVP Kim Sang-hyun won't be able to compete in the top league this year after clearing waivers.The troubled veteran, charged with engaging in lewd conduct in public last summer, got a new lifeline extended by his former Korea Baseball Organization club, KT Wiz, two weeks ago. After the incident, the Wiz placed Kim on the restricted list, preventing him from playing anywhere in the KBO without their permission, and reinstated him on July 14 before placing him on wa

July 25, 2017

Ryu Hyun-jin throws 5 strong in return from injury

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin made his first start Monday night after being activated from the 10-day disabled list the day before. Ryu was placed on the disabled list on July 4 after suffering a left foot contusion in a game against the Los Angeles Angels. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin delivering a pitch on June 29, 2017. (Yonhap)Ryu made his return start at home against the Minnesota Twins, throwing 79 pitches in five innings of work. He surrendered two runs on five hits

July 25, 2017

Giants’ manager Bochy: Hwang Jae-gyun’s return to majors ‘strong possibility’

Despite his recent demotion to the minor leagues, San Francisco Giants infielder Hwang Jae-gyun may not have to wait long for his next call-up. When asked about Hwang’s future with the club in a recent interview with MLB.com, Giants manager Bruce Bochy indicated at an eventual return, saying there is “a strong possibility” he will be called back up. San Francisco Giants' third baseman Hwang Jae-gyun dives for a ground ball. (Yonhap)Bochy explained the team’s decision to demote Hwang as one of av

July 24, 2017