The return schedule of Raul Alcantara (33) of the Korea Professional Baseball Kiwoom Heroes has changed.
Kiwoom announced on 24th, "Alcantara's entry schedule has changed. Alcantara and his family are scheduled to arrive in Korea early on May 27, instead of the originally planned May 25, and Alcantara is planning to move to Japan immediately for visa issuance."
Alcantara signed a contract with Kiwoom for an annual salary of $250,000 (about 300 million won), an option of $150,000 (about 200 million won), and a total of $400,000 (about 500 million won). He is expected to join Kiwoom in place of foreign hitter Yasiel Puig.
Alcantara, who recorded 46 wins and 24 losses with a 3.21 earned run average over 101 games (627⅔ innings) in the KBO League, had a stellar season while playing for Doosan in 2020, winning 20 out of 31 games (198⅔ innings) with a 2.54 earned run average, earning the pitching Golden Glove award. His performance led him to advance to Nippon Professional Baseball (Hanshin). In 2023, he returned to Doosan and played until last year, but was replaced in the middle of the season due to injury.
Kiwoom's manager Hong Won-ki said in an interview before the game against KT Wiz at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the same day, "He will arrive next Monday and will go to Japan for visa issuance. If he throws a bullpen session on Wednesday, he may be able to pitch as early as Friday. Since he has a lot of experience in the KBO League, I believe it will be sufficient to check his condition through bullpen pitching rather than pitching in the Futures League," adding, "If there are no issues, Alcantara will pitch on Friday."
However, a variable emerged shortly thereafter. Alcantara's entry schedule was delayed. Kiwoom announced that Alcantara would arrive on the 27th instead of the 25th, explaining that "the schedule change is due to health reasons related to the player's wife, who is nearing her due date in August, and fortunately, her condition is not serious, but requires a simple hospital examination."
Despite the change in the entry schedule, Alcantara is expected to pitch during the three-game home series against Doosan starting on the 30th at Gocheok Dome as planned. However, specific dates may be subject to change. The pitching schedule announced by manager Hong Won-ki is set for the 30th. A Kiwoom official stated, "Overall, there is nothing significant changing. We plan to proceed with the three-game series against Doosan as scheduled. However, the detailed schedule for bullpen sessions and pitching may vary."
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