Lead

The Hanwha Eagles have signed American right-hander Jack Cushing to a six-week contract worth US$60,000 as a temporary injury replacement for Owen White, who is expected to miss at least six weeks with a torn hamstring, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Coverage Comparison

Yonhap News Agency, South Korea's leading wire service, reported the signing on Saturday, April 4, and provided details of Cushing's background and contract. In a separate report from April 1, Yonhap detailed White's injury and its circumstances. Both reports attribute information to the Eagles' official announcements and team trainers.

Key Claims

  • Owen White tore his left hamstring during his KBO regular-season debut on Tuesday against the KT Wiz. The injury occurred in the top of the third inning when White sprinted to cover first base on a double-play attempt and did a split to catch a throw from shortstop Sim Woo-jun. The throw was late, and White came up limping. He allowed one run on four hits in 2 1/3 innings before leaving the field with the help of trainers.
  • The Eagles announced Saturday they have signed Jack Cushing, 29, to a six-week contract worth US$60,000, with an additional $30,000 available in incentives. Cushing is expected to arrive in South Korea early Sunday and could make his KBO debut as early as next weekend.
  • Cushing, a 22nd-round pick by the Oakland Athletics in the 2019 MLB draft, has reached Triple-A in the minors. He has a 14-7 record with an 8.10 ERA in 69 career Triple-A games, including 15 starts. In 2025, he led the Pacific Coast League with 11 wins while pitching for the Athletics' affiliate in Las Vegas, recording 83 strikeouts and 28 walks in 79 2/3 innings.
  • According to Yonhap, KBO teams are allowed to sign temporary replacements for injured foreign players to six-week contracts.

Perspectives

Team Perspective

The Hanwha Eagles moved quickly to fill the roster gap left by White's injury, signing a seasoned minor league pitcher with recent success. The Eagles also noted that White's injury occurred during a routine play, underscoring the unpredictable nature of the game.

Player Perspective

For Jack Cushing, the signing represents an opportunity to pitch in the KBO and build on a strong 2025 season. For Owen White, the injury is a setback in his first KBO season, having signed with the Eagles in December as part of the team's offseason rotation overhaul.

League/Contextual Perspective

The KBO's rule allowing temporary injury replacements for foreign players provides teams with a mechanism to maintain competitive balance. This signing follows the Eagles' offseason moves to replace their dominant aces from last season, Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss, with White and Wilkel Hernandez.