Pirates' Choi Ji-man says 'deeply hurt' to be dropped from WBC team

The Pittsburgh Pirates' South Korean first baseman Choi Ji-man said Monday he was "deeply hurt" to miss out on a chance to represent the country at the upcoming World Baseball Classic (WBC), saying the club's decision to block his participation for medical reasons disappointed him.    Earlier in the day, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) had announced it had cut Choi from the 30-man roster for the WBC, after the "medical objection" submitted by the Pirates ha

Feb. 6, 2023

Braves minor leaguer Park Hoy-jun not invited to spring training

A long winter for Atlanta Braves minor leaguer Park Hoy-jun has just gotten longer, as the South Korean utility player did not earn an invitation to the Braves' spring training. The Braves announced a list of 26 non-roster invitees to their big league camp on Wednesday, with 11 pitchers, four catchers, six infielders and five outfielders set to battle those on the 40-man roster for major league jobs. Park was not invited to camp. He joined the Braves organization in December in a trade from

Feb. 2, 2023

Teen pitcher Shim Jun-seok officially signs with Pirates in dream-come-true moment

His deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates now official, South Korean pitching prospect Shim Jun-seok has realized his dream. "It's been my dream to play in the United States," Shim was quoted as saying by MLB.com, during his introduction as a new member of the Pirates' international class at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Thursday. "I wanted to pursue my dream to come here and play baseball." The Pirates announced their signing of Shim, a product of Seoul-based Duksoo High Sc

Jan. 27, 2023

Key reliever more excited than nervous ahead of WBC debut

The top closer in South Korean baseball last year will make his World Baseball Classic debut in March. But if Go Woo-suk is feeling nervous, he isn't telling anyone. "There is still a lot of time left. Rather than feeling any sort of pressure, I am excited more than anything else," Go said at a national team press conference in Seoul on Monday. "Every time I play wearing the national flag, it gets my heart pumping." Go led the Korea Baseball Organization with 42 saves la

Jan. 17, 2023

S. Korean teen pitching prospect signs with Pirates

Shim Jun-seok, a highly touted South Korean teen pitching prospect, has signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Pirates confirmed their agreement with Shim as part of 22 free agent signings Sunday, when the 2023 international signing period opened. The Pirates had a base signing pool of $5,825,500, Shim, a hard-throwing right-hander out of Duksoo High School in Seoul, had skipped last year's rookie draft for the Korea Baseball Organization in hopes of signing with a major league club. The 1

Jan. 16, 2023

Veteran catcher has complete faith in nat'l team pitching staff for WBC

Before he begins the new season back with his old team in the South Korean league in April, veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji will go on a personal redemption tour at the World Baseball Classic in March. Yang, one of the best catchers in Korea Baseball Organization history, was among the no-brainer picks for the big tournament in Tokyo. For the 35-year-old, this could be the last chance to represent the country. For all his success in the KBO, Yang hasn't been nearly as productive in internationa

Jan. 12, 2023

Natl. baseball team for WBC to meet for first time Monday

Players and coaching staff of the national baseball team for this year's World Baseball Classic will hold their first meeting next Monday in Seoul. The Korea Baseball Organization said Wednesday manager Lee Kang-chul and players currently training in South Korea will gather at a Seoul hotel for an orientation and a press conference. They will pick up their uniforms and go over tournament rules, among other things. Players have been asked to arrive by 11 a.m. Monday. Lee and four players, to

Jan. 11, 2023

S. Korea manager wants Pirates 1B Choi Ji-man on board for WBC after surgery

On South Korea's 30-man roster for this year's World Baseball Classic, the status of Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Choi Ji-man is the one big question mark. Following an offseason elbow operation, Choi will need permission from his new club to represent the country at the March tournament. South Korea's manager, Lee Kang-chul, doesn't want to have to resort to plan B. Last week, Lee selected Choi for the WBC, even though Choi is still recovering from a November elbow surge

Jan. 10, 2023

Veteran slugger wants to end intl. career on high note at WBC

SUWON-- Entering his age-37 season, KT Wiz slugger Park Byung-ho sees this year's World Baseball Classic as his final international tournament. And he wants to make the most of the opportunity. "Considering my age and the schedule for upcoming international events, I don't think I will get to play for the country after this," Park said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, some 35 kilometers south of Seoul, on Friday. "I don't want to ha

Jan. 9, 2023

Veteran third baseman feeling mixed emotions after third WBC selection

When South Korean third baseman Choi Jeong was chosen for the World Baseball Classic for the first time in 2009, he felt like a kid in a candy store, simply excited to be playing for the country against major league stars. Fourteen years have passed. Choi, a month and a half from his 36th birthday, will be one of South Korea's oldest players at this year's WBC. Choi's selection, announced Wednesday, brought a different set of emotions to the SSG Landers veteran. "Back then, I

Jan. 6, 2023

With injuries behind, left-hander 'can't wait to pitch' in WBC

South Korean pitcher Koo Chang-mo has been as unlucky with injuries as he has been great on the mound. One of the country's top starters in recent years, Koo was forced to miss international action lately because of untimely injuries. The stars have finally aligned for the 25-year-old this year, as Koo is gearing up for the World Baseball Classic in March. In a phone conversation with Yonhap News Agency on Thursday, one day after being named to the 30-man national team, Koo said he is on th

Jan. 6, 2023

KBO legend Lee Seung-yuop wants focus on players in first season as manager

In the 2023 season in South Korean baseball, perhaps no manager will be under as much spotlight and scrutiny as the Doosan Bears' first-year skipper, Lee Seung-yuop. It comes with the territory of being one of the greatest players in Korea Baseball Organization history. Lee is the league's career home run leader with 467 and also owns the single-season record with 56 from the 2003 season. He is also the only five-time regular season most valuable player in league history. All eyes will

Jan. 4, 2023

Big leaguers expected to join KBO stars for S. Korea at World Baseball Classic

A handful of current and former big leaguers should join domestic league stars when South Korea announces its roster for the World Baseball Classic this week. The Korea Baseball Organization is scheduled to unveil the national team roster for the March 8-21 tournament on Wednesday. As of Tuesday morning, however, it hadn't been determined whether national team manager Lee Kang-chul will announce the 35-man provisional roster or the 30-man final roster on Wednesday, well ahead of the Feb. 7

Jan. 3, 2023

Blue Jays' Ryu Hyun-jin eyes July return from elbow surgery

INCHEON -- Toronto Blue Jays starter Ryu Hyun-jin said Thursday he is "right on schedule" in his rehab from his summer elbow operation that had cut his 2022 season short, adding he is targeting a July return to the mound. Ryu left South Korea for the United States on Thursday morning to continue his recovery from Tommy John elbow reconstructive surgery he'd had in June this year. The 35-year-old had spent about a month with his family in his native country. In previous offseasons,

Dec. 29, 2022

Royals catching prospect Um Hyung-chan named top S. Korean high school backstop

Kansas City Royals catching prospect Um Hyung-chan was named the top South Korean high school catcher of the year Thursday. Um was the winner of the Best Catcher category at the sixth annual Lee Man-soo Awards, named after the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) catching legend. Um, backstop for Gyeonggi Commercial High School in Seoul, signed with the Royals in July. He batted .390/.446/.585 with three home runs, 30 RBIs and 22 runs scored in 21 games in 2022. Um has also been known for a stron

Dec. 22, 2022

With checkered past looming large, LG Twins still looking for new foreign hitter

With the Hanwha Eagles' signing of former big league outfielder Brian O'Grady Wednesday, the LG Twins are the only team without a foreign hitter in the fold for next season in the Korea Baseball Organization. And it hasn't been for lack of trying. The Twins were among the first teams to fill that spot. On Dec. 6, they announced the signing of new outfielder Abraham Almonte to a one-year, $800,000 deal. But four days later, the deal was voided, as Almonte failed to pass the physica

Dec. 22, 2022

KBO's Eagles sign ex-MLB outfielder O'Grady

The South Korean baseball club Hanwha Eagles announced their signing of former major league outfielder Brian O'Grady on Wednesday. The Korea Baseball Organization team said O'Grady, 30, agreed to a one-year deal worth a maximum $900,000, with a guaranteed salary of $700,000 and an incentive of up to $200,000. This transaction completes foreign player signings for the Eagles, who had earlier re-signed pitcher Felix Pena and newly acquired pitcher Burch Smith. KBO teams can each sign up

Dec. 21, 2022

S. Korean Park Hoy-jun to compete for backup job for Braves after second offseason trade

Having been traded over the weekend for the second time this winter, South Korean utility player Park Hoy-jun would like nothing more than some stability the rest of this offseason. Park's new home, for the time being, is Atlanta, after the Braves acquired him in a trade with the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a player to be named and cash considerations on Friday (US time). This has been a tumultuous winter for the 26-year-old. First, he was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pira

Dec. 19, 2022

KBO champions Landers caught in meddling controversy

Barely a month removed from their historic championship run in South Korean baseball, the SSG Landers should still be basking in the glory of their title. Instead, they find themselves mired in a front office controversy this week. Angered fans have been demanding an explanation from the club's public-facing owner regarding speculation that a person with no direct ties to the team has been running the show behind the scenes. This year, the Landers became the first team in Korea Baseball Org

Dec. 15, 2022

4 KBO teams still looking to fill foreign player spots for 2023

Just over half the teams in the South Korean baseball league have filled up their foreign player quota for 2023, with others looking to complete their transactions before the calendar flips to the new year. As of Wednesday morning, six out of 10 clubs in the Korea Baseball Organization had signed their maximum three foreign players, each with two pitchers and one position player. Those teams are: the Kiwoom Heroes, the KT Wiz, the Kia Tigers, the Samsung Lions, the Lotte Giants and the Doosan Be

Dec. 14, 2022