[Official] 'Lightning strike': Doosan finally releases its top starter "Only surgery decision remains; if Benjamin agrees, I would like to stay with him"

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears has ultimately decided to part ways with Chris Flexen (32), the foreign pitcher expected to be the team's top starter this season. Flexen has already departed for the United States.

A Doosan official stated ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game against KIA Tigers at Seoul Jamsil Stadium on the 26th, "Flexen experienced a recurrence of pain during his rehabilitation process, and he has recently departed for the United States."

Before the game, Doosan manager Kim Won-hyeong, who announced the decision to part ways with Flexen, said, "He underwent a medical examination in the United States, and the results indicated surgery is necessary. He is now afraid of throwing the ball. A follow-up examination confirmed that the previously injured area has healed, but a new issue has arisen elsewhere. The decision on surgery rests with him. Now, only Benjamin's consent remains. Benjamin has performed exceptionally well as our replacement foreign pitcher. If he agrees, I would like to continue this season together."

Flexen was a key figure in Doosan's dynasty during the 2020 season, contributing significantly to the team's sixth consecutive Korean Series appearance. Wearing the Doosan uniform, he appeared in 21 KBO League games that season, recording 8 wins, 4 losses, and an ERA of 3.01.

Most notably, he excelled in high-pressure games. In the first game of the 2020 Korean Series Qualifiers against LG Twins, he pitched a complete 6-inning scoreless game, allowing 4 hits, 1 walk, and striking out 11 batters, earning the win. Doosan rode this momentum through the playoffs and reached the Korean Series.

After his outstanding performance in the KBO League, Flexen returned to the United States. Ahead of the 2021 season, he signed a two-year, $4.75 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. In the 2021 season, he appeared in 31 games, posting a record of 14 wins and 6 losses with an ERA of 3.61. Over 179⅔ innings, he recorded 125 strikeouts. He led the Seattle Mariners in wins, starting pitcher ERA, and innings pitched during the 2021 season.

Following stints with the Seattle Mariners, Colorado Rockies, and Chicago White Sox, Flexen played for the Chicago Cubs last season, achieving a record of 5 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 3.09.

Flexen then returned to Doosan ahead of this season, rekindling his connection with Korea. At the time of announcing Flexen's re-signing, the Doosan organization stated, "We confirmed his velocity remains unchanged," expressing their trust in him.

He showed strong performances even during spring training, raising expectations further. In this year's spring training, Flexen appeared in 3 games, recording no decisions with an ERA of 0.73. Over a total of 12⅓ innings, he allowed 11 hits, 3 walks, struck out 21 batters, and gave up 1 earned run. His WHIP was 1.14, and his batting average against was 0.239.

However, he collapsed after just two regular-season games. On March 28, in the season opener against NC Dinos, he started and pitched 4 innings, allowing 2 hits (including 1 home run), 5 walks, 1 hit-by-pitch, and 3 strikeouts, while giving up 2 earned runs. He took the loss. Then, during the April 3 game against Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil, he complained of pain while pitching in the second inning. Unable to continue throwing, he left the mound, marking his final appearance on Korean soil this year. At the time, a Doosan official explained the injury as "right-sided back pain."

Flexen was thus removed from the lineup, and he has now received official notification of his release. With the All-Star break approaching and the race for standings about to intensify, Doosan could no longer afford to wait. Fortunately, Wes Benjamin, the replacement foreign pitcher signed, has performed exceptionally well, and Doosan plans to continue working with him for the remainder of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.