KBO's Landers bring back pitcher Avila after strong season
SEOUL, Oct. 16 (Yonhap) -- The SSG Landers announced Friday they will bring back pitcher Pedro Avila for at least one more season following his strong 2026 season.
The Landers said the new contract with Avila will run for a maximum two years but said further details will be announced later.
Avila joined the Landers in July to replace slumping starter Anthony Veneziano. In 14 starts, Avila went 9-2 with a 1.44 ERA, striking out 93 batters in 93 2/3 innings. The Venezuelan right-hander also threw two complete games to lead the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). And 13 of Avila's 14 outings were quality starts, in which he threw at least six innings and allowed three or fewer earned runs. He was not charged with an earned run in seven starts.
SSG Landers starter Pedro Avila pitches against the NC Dinos during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Changwon NC Park in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province, on Oct. 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Landers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
"Avila showed a strong desire to keep playing in South Korea," the Landers said. "He also showed tremendous abilities and ate up a lot of innings for us. We considered many different factors and decided on a contract that can run for up to two years."
With Avila leading the rotation from July and on, the Landers climbed from ninth place in the 10-team KBO at the end of the first half to sixth place by the end of the season. They posted the league's second-best record in the second half, with 34 wins, 22 losses and two ties.
SSG Landers pitcher Pedro Avila signs a new contract with the Korea Baseball Organization club on Oct. 16, 2026, in this photo provided by the Landers. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
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