It’s time to make a choice.
Yoenis Elias (35), a foreign pitcher for the SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), successfully completed his second appearance in the Futures (second team) league.
As Elias continues to recover from his injury and take part in on-field tests, the time is approaching for SSG to choose between Keisho Shirakawa (23) and Elias.
Elias started the Futures (Second Division) League home game against the Sangmu Commerce on June 26 at Ganghwa Futures Field and pitched four innings, allowing one hit and striking out four. His fastball touched 149 mph.
“His fastball had power,” said Lee, who traveled to the Ganghwa Stadium to watch him pitch, “and I could see his changeup slipping out of his hand, which is something he can work on as he plays more games.”
Elias was announced as the starting pitcher against the Kiwoom Heroes on May 18, but while preparing for the game, he complained of pain in his left side.
He underwent a medical examination and was found to have a left adductor muscle injury.
After Elias was diagnosed with a “six-week diagnosis,” SSG signed him for six weeks for 1.8 million yen (approximately $15.7 million) from Shirakawa, who was playing for the Tokushima Indigo Sox in the Shikoku Island League of Japan’s independent league.
This year, the KPA introduced a new system whereby if an existing foreign player is injured enough to require medical treatment for more than six weeks, the team can place the player on the rehabilitation list and use a substitute foreign player until the player returns.
Shirakawa, who became the KBO’s first short-term foreign player, made his first start on June 1 and went 2-2 with a 5.09 ERA in four games.
Elias was placed on the disabled list on May 21st.
He will be eligible to take the mound for the first team on paper the week after he reaches “six weeks” on the disabled list.
In order for Elias to be added to the first team, SSG will need to terminate his contract with Shirakawa.
Lee said, “The time has come to choose between Elias and Shirakawa. We will have a full discussion after the game on the 27th.”
Although he left the door open for Shirakawa to stay, the manager’s history and pitching style weigh in favor of Elias’ return.
“If it comes to a conclusion, we may use Elias for the last three games of the first half (July 2-4 against the Changwon NC Dinos),” Lee said. 안전놀이터