I've already spent 600 million more, and I'm also considering replacing injured foreigners...be discussing a plan B

Jun 10, 2025

A game between the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes at Jamsil Stadium on the 14th. Kiwoom Rosenberg is pitching hard. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.05.14/

"I don't feel good." Plan B is also being discussed."

Kiwoom Heroes head coach Hong Won-ki's expression darkened when foreign ace Kenny Rosenberg came out ahead of the Gocheok NC Dinos match on the 10th. Rosenberg was removed from the first-team entry on the 8th due to left hip pain.

Rosenberg had finished recharging by going on the 10-day injured list to rest on the 21st of last month. Kiwoom gave great consideration to Rosenberg's condition even when he was at the bottom of the league, but his head hurt very much after just two games of his return.

Regarding Rosenberg's recovery period and timing of his return, Hong said, `I can't give you any advice. I don't feel good. So I'm worried that it might get a bit longer," he confessed honestly.

Plan B is already in operation. Kiwoom is looking for an alternative foreign player to replace Rosenberg's injury gap. In some cases, complete replacement may also be considered. All possibilities are open at the moment.

No matter how far Kiwoom has moved away from the autumn baseball fight, it cannot be left alone in a power vacuum.

Kiwoom is often in trouble this year because of foreign players. The unconventional choice of foreign pitchers with one Rosenberg and two foreign hitters, Ruben Cardinez and Yasiel Puig, failed as a result.

Samsung-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 22nd. Cardinez, who was hit with two outs in the bottom of the first inning, is in pain. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.5.22/

The Hanwha-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 9th. Moussa Puig is looking at the ball after hitting a solo shot in the bottom of the fourth inning. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.5.5.9/

Kiwoom admitted its failure and released Puig first on the 19th of last month and recruited new foreign pitcher Raul Alcantara. Alcantara was the top ace with 20 wins for the Doosan Bears in 2020. Until last year, he was released after being the first starter for Doosan for three consecutive years due to an elbow injury, and this year, he answered Kiwoom's call while continuing his career in the Mexican League. Alcantara relieved the club's worries with two wins, 14 innings and an ERA of 0.64 in two games.

The problem is the string injuries of Cadines and Rosenberg. Cardinez has been away since the 2nd due to an elbow injury. Kiwoom urgently recruited Stone Garrett as an alternative foreign player for six weeks. Garrett is currently undergoing administrative procedures such as issuing visas, and is expected to make his KBO League debut soon.

And in six days, Rosenberg left, putting Kiwoom in a position to recognize new foreigners again. Kiwoom spent a total of $400,000 on recruiting Alcantara and Stone $35,000. With an additional 435,000 dollars (about 600 million won) already spent, Rosenberg's replacement is on the verge of incurring additional costs.