Kiwoom Heroes' Injury Replacement Pitcher Kenny Rosenberg Sidelined

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, June 22 (Yonhap) -- An injury replacement pitcher for the Kiwoom Heroes has hit the sidelines with his own health problems.

The Heroes removed left-hander Kenny Rosenberg from their active roster Monday due to a left quad injury. Rosenberg is 0-2 with a 4.80 ERA in seven starts as a temporary replacement for injured starter Nathan Wiles.

Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) clubs are allowed to acquire replacements for foreign players who are sidelined for at least six weeks.

Rosenberg signed his initial six-week deal with the Heroes in April but didn't make his first appearance until May 16 due to a visa delay. The Heroes inked the American pitcher to a new six-week contract on May 28, with Wiles still recovering from a shoulder injury.

This is Rosenberg's second go-around with the Heroes. He went 4-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 13 starts last year before a left hip injury cut his season short.

The Heroes said Rosenberg's current injury is not related to the hip issue from last year.

Rosenberg experienced discomfort in his left quad after giving up three runs on five hits in three innings Saturday against the Lotte Giants. The 30-year-old showed a noticeable dip in his velocity during that game.

Elsewhere in the KBO, the Doosan Bears demoted veteran infielder Yang Suk-hwan to the minors only four games after his call-up. The 34-year-old, who spent almost the entire month of May and the first half of June in the minor league, batted 2-for-12 in those four games back with the Bears.

The slugger launched at least 20 home runs in every season from 2021 to 2024, including a career-high 34 dingers in 2024, but was limited to just eight homers in 72 games last year and only one homer in 31 games this year.