There is a Korean big leaguer who underwent surgery because of a sore hip. He was unable to join the WBC Korean national team. And when he came back, he couldn’t even rejoin the starting lineup.
Dunning (29, Texas Rangers), a Korean-American, underwent hip surgery at the end of the 2022 season. He returned from the exhibition game, but only had an ERA of 4.43 with 1 win, 1 loss and 1 hold in 6 games. I couldn’t possibly be in the condition to wear the Taegeuk mark at the WBC. Dunning politely refused to join the national team to LG coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop, who was then the KBO technical committee chairman.
Such Dunning would have dreamed of returning to perfect physical condition and making a long run as a starting pitcher. He actually went out as a starter in 61 of 63 games for the Texas Rangers in 2021 and 2022, starting with the Chicago White Sox in 2020. However, his performance was not that impressive. 2 wins in 7 games in the 2020 season, ERA 3.97. 2021 season 27 games 5 wins 10 losses average ERA 4.51, 2022 season 29 games 4 wins 8 losses average ERA 4.46.
This season, it was not good in the exhibition game, and Dunning had to be pushed aside as Texas significantly reinforced the starting lineup. Aces Jacob deGrom (5 years, $185 million), Nathan Eboldi (2 years, $34 million) and Andrew Heaney (2 years, $25 million) acquired Jake Odorizzi in a trade with the Atlanta Braves.
Because of this, the position of the right-handed starting pitcher in his fourth year in the big leagues with an annual salary of $740,000 naturally changed to the bullpen. Dunning has become a long relief that can handle long innings. Of course, he also digests short innings at the same time. But here a twist occurred. Dunning is doing pretty well out of the bullpen.
On the 2nd, against the Philadelphia Phillies, he won a hold with 3 hits and no runs in 3 innings. Against the Baltimore Orioles on the 5th (4 innings, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, 2 walks, no run), against the Chicago Cubs on the 9th (0.1 inning, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 run – no run), against the Kansas City Royals on the 11th (2 innings, 1 hit, 2 strikeouts, no run) ), followed by Houston Astros on the 15th, 1.2 innings, 1 hit, 1 strikeout, no run.
All 5 games this season are unaccounted for. And on the 15th, he harvested his second hold of the season. Zero ERA with 2 holds in 5 games of the season. In 11 innings, he allowed 7 hits, 4 strikeouts, 3 walks and 1 run (own charge). With fewer pitches than last year, he is becoming efficient pitch count management.
In the bottom of the 6th inning with a 5-2 lead, he saved starting pitcher Martin Perez at first base. He grounded David Hensley to third base with a slider, line drive Jeremy Pena to third base also with a slider, and grounded Mauricio Dubon to second base with a sinker. The slider thrown at Pena was misplaced in the middle, but luck followed.
In the bottom of the 7th inning,토토사이트 the sinker, who used leadoff hitter Martin Maldonado, went into the middle and hit a left-handed double. However, he was replaced after striking out Jake Mayers on a swing with a sinker and handling a fly ball to center fielder Alex Bregman with a cutter. Dunning was awarded his second hold of the season as the follow-up pitcher closed the inning without allowing a run. A 6-2 win for Texas.
It seems difficult for Dunning to break through the Texas starting lineup right away. However, if you show good performance as a long relief, there is a good chance that you will become the number 1 in Plan B. As Korea has to prepare for the 2026 WBC in the long run, it is necessary to check Dunning’s progress. Dunning is still 32 after three years, which is not too old.