Texas Rangers' Korean pitcher Dane Dunning (31) is facing the possibility of being released.
Joel Sherman of the U.S. 'New York Post' reported on the 23rd (Korean time) that Texas will designate right-handed pitcher Dunning for outright waivers. He has been removed from the 40-man roster, and if any team wants him during the waiver period, a claim can be made for his transfer.
Teams that want Dunning must pay his salary of $2.26 million this year. If no team claims him and he passes through waivers, he will be assigned to a minor league team under Texas. Since his status will change to that of a minor leaguer, it would be better for Dunning to get claimed and transferred to another team.
Dunning struggled this spring training, posting a record of 1 win, 1 loss, and 1 hold with an earned run average of 8.18 in 5 games (1 start). He allowed 17 hits (4 home runs), 4 walks, struck out 14 batters, and allowed 10 runs in 11 innings, resulting in a WHIP of 1.91 and a batting average against of .340. His performance collapsed against the Colorado Rockies on the 21st, where he faced 5 hits (3 home runs) and allowed 5 runs over 3⅓ innings, which was a decisive blow.
Texas's starting rotation is composed of Jacob deGrom, Nathan Eovaldi, Tyler Mahle, KODI Loker, Jack Leiter, and Cody Bradford. It is expected that they will guarantee starting opportunities to the first-round standout prospects Loker and Leiter from Vanderbilt University.
On the 18th, Texas also signed veteran left-handed pitcher Patrick Corbin to a one-year, $1 million contract. With one more preliminary starting resource added, Dunning has ultimately been completely excluded from Texas's power planning. With only one minor option left, the decision to approach waivers effectively leads to a separation. Despite recent poor performance, it seems there will be sufficient market demand for someone like Dunning.
Dunning, who was born to American father John Dunning and Korean mother Jeong Mi-soo, was drafted in the 1st round, 29th overall, by the Washington Nationals in 2016. After being traded to the Chicago White Sox and undergoing Tommy John surgery, he made his Major League debut in 2020. After finishing his first season, he was traded to Texas along with All-Star pitcher Lance Lynn and has since rotated as a starter from 2021 to 2024.
In 2023, he had a career-high season with a record of 12 wins, 7 losses, and 3 holds with an earned run average of 3.70 over 35 games (26 starts) covering 172⅔ innings and 140 strikeouts. However, last year, due to shoulder pain, he was placed on the injured list twice and struggled with a record of 5 wins, 7 losses, an earned run average of 5.31, and 19 strikeouts over 26 games (15 starts, 95 innings). The impact of the shoulder injury caused his sinker average velocity to drop to 89.7 mph (144.4 km/h), which is down 1.2 mph (1.9 km/h) compared to the previous year, leading to a decline in the overall value of his pitches.
Dunning is also a candidate for the Korean national team for next year's World Baseball Classic (WBC). The Korean national team, which is desperate for redemption after consecutive poor performances in international competitions, is checking on not only Korean major leaguers but also Korean-American major league players, and Dunning is regarded as a key asset on the mound. He was a candidate for the national team in the 2023 WBC, but his participation fell through due to rehabilitation after undergoing hip surgery at the end of September 2022. At that time, infielder Tommy Edman (Los Angeles Dodgers) was the only Korean-American mixed-race player to join the WBC national team.
Dunning has a great affection for Korea, as evidenced by his tattoo on his left biceps that reads 'same blood' in Korean. The youngest of three siblings, Dunning said in an interview with the 'Dallas Morning News' in May 2023, "I really like this tattoo. I have been away from my family for a long time, and every time I see the tattoo, I think of them. It always gives me a feeling that they are with me," and he expressed his willingness to participate in the national team, stating, "Participating in the Korean national team would mean a lot not only to me but also to my mother." However, with Texas's decision on waivers, Dunning's chances for next year's WBC national team may be affected.
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