The Hanwha Eagles of professional baseball signed a replacement foreign pitcher five days after Owen White's injury. Jack Cushing, who will newly wear the Hanwha uniform, arrived in Korea and joined the team and even completed catch play in just five days.
Hanwha officially announced on the 4th, "We have signed replacement foreign pitcher Jack Cushing due to White's injury. The contract is a six-week salary of $60,000, an option of $30,000, aggregates $90,000."
White started as the starting pitcher in his KBO debut on the 31st in a home game against the KT Wiz, but he injured his thigh during a defensive play and recorded 2 1/3 innings, four hits allowed, one walk, two strikeouts and one run, throwing only 57 pitches before leaving the mound. White was ultimately diagnosed with a left hamstring muscle rupture and was removed from active duty.
As soon as White was injured, Hanwha, which sensed immediately that it was not a minor injury, launched an operation to sign a replacement foreign player. Because early regular-season performance can determine the whole season, they had to minimize the gap in their lineup. Having prelisted candidates in preparation for foreign player injuries, Hanwha reached an agreement with Cushing the day after White's injury.
After reaching the contract agreement, procedures proceeded swiftly, and Cushing arrived in Korea in the early hours of the 5th and immediately joined the Jamsil road team. Manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "Considering the flight time and that it wasn't a short period, there could be no happier news than his immediate joining the team. Seeing him meet the players brightly was very pleasing," expressing his first impression upon meeting Cushing.
Manager Kim said, "The most important thing is that he has been continuously throwing the ball," and added, "I don't know exactly how many pitches he will throw in his first appearance, but thinking the rotation will return, I believe that is a very good thing for the team," expressing his expectations.
After finishing introductions with the team and completing training, Cushing told reporters, "Baseball is the same sport everywhere. I came to Korea suddenly, but I just think I came to another country. I am honored and will do my best."
Cushing said he heard about Korean baseball from Shaun Anderson (former KIA Tigers) and Jack O'Rourke (Samsung Lions), saying, "They said the environment and fan culture are extremely fun." He said, "I was really happy when I received contact from Hanwha. I thought it would be a good experience. I want to get on the mound and pitch as soon as possible," expressing his anticipation.
As strengths he cites himself, he said, "I think I'm a pitcher with good control. I try to finish quickly and keep my pitch count as low as possible," emphasizing, "I want to be remembered as a pitcher who throws strikes. When you throw strikes, out counts come."
Hanwha faced the variable of an early-season foreign pitcher's injury, but with a new face joining, they once again felt hopeful. Already having the success story of 'Daejeon Jesus' Ryan Weiss, they hope Cushing will also produce similarly outstanding performances.<
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