"The SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization announced this evening that they've signed left-hander Anthony Veneziano. The KHG Sports Management client receives a $750K salary and can make another $100K in incentives. As noted by Dan Kurtz of MyKBO, the signing comes after the Landers pulled out of their agreement with right-hander Drew VerHagen. The club's medical team had flagged an undisclosed issue with VerHagen's physical. He'll return to free agency."
"The 28-year-old Veneziano heads overseas for the first time in his career. He'd been in affiliated ball since 2019, when the Royals took him as a 10th-round draftee out of Coastal Carolina. Veneziano worked as a starter for most of his minor league career. He has been a full-time reliever in the big leagues, only starting one of 40 appearances as an opener. Veneziano has suited up with Kansas City, Miami and St. Louis."
"It's likely he'll also get an opportunity to build back up as a starter. The foreign player limit for KBO teams means they're unlikely to use one of those spots on players they'd project as relievers. If he pitches well as a starter for a season or two in Korea, he'd be better positioned to explore MLB opportunities down the line."
SSG Landers signed left-hander Anthony Veneziano to a contract that pays $750K with up to $100K in incentives after a roster spot opened when Drew VerHagen's deal collapsed due to a flagged medical issue. Veneziano was released from a Rangers minor-league contract to pursue the opportunity and will join Mitch White as the club's two foreign pitchers. The 28-year-old spent his career in affiliated ball since being drafted in 2019, working mainly as a starter in the minors but as a reliever in the majors. He owns a 3.98 ERA and a 21.3% strikeout rate in 40 2/3 MLB innings. A difficult Triple-A season limited him to a minor-league deal, but the KBO contract is guaranteed and likely will give him a chance to return to starting duties, which could position him for future MLB opportunities if he performs well.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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