Finally, the 'ML 112-win veteran' makes his Korean debut! Yeom Kyung-yeop: "KARAasco's role will be the biggest" Expectations rise... "My goal is to contribute to LG winning the championship trophy again." Will he become a savior?

*This content was translated by AI.

Will LG Twins' new foreign pitcher Carlos KARAasco (39, Venezuela) become a savior?

LG will play a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular-season home game against Doosan Bears at Seoul Jamsil Stadium at 6 p.m. on the 1st.

On the previous day (July 31), LG lost to Doosan 2-4 in the first of a three-game weekend series. With this loss, LG finished with 55 wins and 43 losses, maintaining sole third place in the league. The gap between 'fourth-place' Doosan and LG narrowed from four games to three games.

LG needs a rebound to re-enter the upper ranks. And the key player for LG's second half has finally made his KBO debut. It is KARAasco.

Instead of releasing right-handed fireballer Yacel Lios, who had been active last month, LG signed KARAasco as their new foreign pitcher. They signed a contract with a total value of $360,000 (annual salary $360,000).

KARAasco was once a well-known pitcher who dominated the Major Leagues. At the time of signing KARAasco, LG explained: "He is a veteran starting pitcher with 112 career wins in the Major Leagues. We expect him to adapt quickly to the KBO League thanks to his rich experience, stable control, and highly refined breaking balls."

KARAasco boasts physical conditions of 193 cm in height and 101 kg in weight. After joining the Philadelphia Phillies in 2003, he played for the Cleveland Indians (now Cleveland Guardians), New York Mets, New York Yankees, and Atlanta Braves.

Over 17 seasons in the Major Leagues, he appeared in 343 games (286 starts), recording 112 wins, 105 losses, an ERA of 4.24 (totaling 1,704 innings). In particular, during the 2017 season, he won 18 games while with Cleveland, taking first place in the American League for wins.

In the 2026 season, he appeared as a middle reliever in eight Major League games, posting an ERA of 5.94. In the Minor League Triple-A level, he appeared in eight games (six starts) this year, achieving a record of 2 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 2.55.

LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said before yesterday's game: "For a second-half rebound, I think KARAasco's role will be the biggest. If KARAasco performs steadily, the starting rotation will stabilize too. Seeing him throw in the bullpen, his control is indeed good. We will discuss matters such as ABS usage with the team analysis staff and watch how he pitches in the game for now." He added that he plans to throw around 70 pitches in the game on the 1st.

Earlier, after signing with LG, KARAasco left a weighty comment through the club: "I am really looking forward to joining LG, which has the best fans. My goal is to contribute to LG winning the championship trophy again." Will KARAasco truly dominate for the rest of the season and meet the expectations of LG fans?

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*This content was translated by AI.