Tigers sign pitcher Shirakawa as Asian quota player, Heroes extend Rosenberg's deal

The Kia Tigers filled their Asian quota with Japanese pitcher Keisho Shirakawa on Thursday, while the Kiwoom Heroes extended their contract with injury replacement pitcher Kenny Rosenberg.

Tigers said Shirakawa agreed to a $100,000 contract for the rest of the season as their Asian quota player. The team had cut Australian shortstop Jarryd Dale on Tuesday.

Kia will be Shirakawa's third KBO team. The 24-year-old pitched for the SSG Landers and the Doosan Bears in 2024, the first season in which the KBO began allowing clubs to sign temporary replacements for injured foreign players.

In 12 starts that year, Shirakawa went 4-5 with a 5.65 ERA in 57 1/3 innings, along with 46 strikeouts and 33 walks.

After his KBO stint, Shirakawa rejoined his Japanese independent club, the Tokushima Indigo Sox. The right-hander pitched to a 1.08 ERA over 25 innings in five starts this year prior to his KBO return.

“He has a great fastball from a high release point, and he mixes in the curveball, slider and forkball effectively," the Tigers said in a release.

"Since he has already pitched in the KBO in the past, he should be able to make his adjustments quickly even as he joins us in the middle of the season. He can start or pitch in relief for us."

The Tigers said Shirakawa will first join their minor league team on Friday and work his way up to the KBO team.

In another KBO transaction on Thursday, the Heroes signed Rosenberg to a new six-week contract worth $50,000 as a replacement player for Nathan Wiles.

The Heroes first signed Rosenberg to take Wiles' spot in the rotation on April 21, but Rosenberg didn't make his first appearance until May 16 due to a delay in getting his visa issued.

In two starts, Rosenberg has a 1.42 ERA with no win-loss record.

Wiles is trying to make his way back from a right shoulder injury, and the Heroes expect him back sometime in July. They said Rosenberg's new six-week deal runs from June 3.

Rosenberg also pitched for the Heroes on a full contract last year, going 4-4 with a 3.23 ERA in 13 starts before having his season cut short by a hip injury.

Yonhap