The Doosan Bears have selected Brandon Waddell as the replacement foreign pitcher for Dylan Pyle, who was released due to an elbow injury. Waddell, who has been playing in the Taiwanese League this season, will return to the KBO and reunite with Doosan fans.
Doosan officially announced on June 8 that it had requested the KBO to place Dylan Pyle on waivers.
After a lengthy rehabilitation period following an unfortunate hit to the head in spring training this season, Dillon made his KBO debut on May 4 against the Jamsil Hanwha Eagles. On that day, Dillon took the loss after giving up five runs on five hits (two home runs) and two walks in four innings.
Dillon followed that up with a no-decision against the Sasik Lotte Giants on May 11, giving up four runs (three earned) on five hits and three walks in five innings. The reason for his struggles was different, as he hadn’t prepared properly for the season and ended up straining his elbow.
As a result, Dillon was removed from the first team roster on May 15. At the time, Doosan said, “Dillon underwent an MRI examination and was diagnosed with a right elbow medial flexor sprain. We plan to skip one start and engage in treatment and strengthening exercises.”
Fast-forward to June, more than a month after he was designated for assignment, and Dillon still didn’t have a timetable for his return. Dillon threw a bullpen session on June 4, but he was unable to complete it and reportedly experienced a flare-up of pain.
Doosan had already begun looking for a replacement foreign pitcher in mid-May, hoping to give Dillon one more first-team start before making a final decision, but that didn’t happen.
According to MK Sports, Brandon was one of Doosan’s top options. Brandon joined the team late last year as a replacement for Ariel Miranda. In 11 games (65 innings) in 2022, Brandon went 5-3 with a 3.60 ERA, 40 strikeouts and 24 walks. While he did get some innings as a starter, he didn’t make much of an impact, so Doosan chose Dillon over Brandon last winter.
Brandon was playing this season for the Rakuten Monkeys of the Taiwanese League. In the Taiwanese League, Brandon’s record this season is 5-4 with a 2.85 ERA in 10 appearances (60 innings), 49 strikeouts, 13 walks, and a 1.27 WHIP. He’s been a consistent starter in the Taiwanese League, so he shouldn’t have any issues with his game as a starter. If he does make the team, he should be able to start right away.
However, Doosan will have to pay a transfer fee to Rakuten to bring Brandon over. In recent years, Taiwanese league teams have been signing foreign players to full-year guaranteed contracts rather than monthly salaries. This is because KBO teams have been signing foreign players in the middle of the season. In the case of Brandon, it was reported that Doosan paid the transfer fee to Rakuten and then brought him back.
Manager Lee Seung-yeop admitted that the signing of Brandon was imminent. Speaking to reporters ahead of the June 9 game against the Jamsil KIA Tigers, Lee said, “I heard that the talks with Brandon are over to a certain extent. He pitched well in the KBO last year, and I think he’ll be able to pitch in June. We thought he was the best option we had right now. It was a long wait for Dylan, but the club moved quickly to sign Brandon,” he said.토토사이트
“He sits up to 150 mph and has a great changeup. He can throw any type of pitch for a strike, which is attractive. He’s also coming from the Taiwan League after playing in Korea last year, so I can guarantee his adaptability. He’s been in the starting rotation for a while, so he should be able to start right away.”
The Doosan bench has struggled with injuries and poor performances of late, with Raul Alcantara being the consolation prize as the league’s dominant No. 1 starter. Add to that the fact that Brandon is back in the rotation and can be a consistent second starter who can be counted on to go six innings, and you’ve got yourself a big boost in the standings.