​Guardians, once a Padres reliever, leaves MLB to continue his career in South Korea. This update originally appeared on The Sporting News, now featuring The Sporting News as a preferred source. A former San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians reliever has signed a contract to play in the Korea Baseball Organization in South Korea. On Wednesday, the SSG Landers of the KBO announced that right-hander Pedro Avila signed a deal with the team for the remainder of the season. Avila, who had been pitching for the Guardians’ Triple-A affiliate, was granted his release by Cleveland to pursue this opportunity. The last time Avila appeared in a Major League game was in 2024. Across 54 games with the Guardians and Padres, he posted a respectable 3.81 ERA, along with 23.2% strikeout rate and 10.2% walk rate.
The Landers recently released left-hander Anthony Veneziano, opening a roster spot for Avila. At Triple-A Columbus, Avila logged a 7.50 ERA in 15 appearances, including 13 starts. A recent note highlights three reasons why the Braves could be a perfect fit for Tarik Skubal at the MLB trade deadline, while a strong showing in South Korea could help Avila secure a contract in affiliated ball at a later date. Avila has demonstrated the ability to be a productive middle reliever in the Majors, but the Landers are likely to deploy him as part of their starting rotation.
In related news, Cristopher Sanchez of the Phillies has been mentioned as a planned NL All-Star starter, and there is ongoing speculation about potential trade activity involving Tarik Skubal, including a suggested exchange that would send a top-10 prospect to the Tigers. Historically, the Astros have shown strong interest in players such as Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy from the Rockies, while the Astros’ plan to engage in the Skubal trade sweepstakes continues to unfold. The Angels’ general manager has already dismissed a rumor about trading Mike Trout to the Phillies, a point cited in discussions about potential deals and roster moves.
This development marks another example of a Major League player seeking opportunities overseas to continue his professional career. Avila’s transition to the KBO could serve as a proving ground that, if successful, might lead to future opportunities back in affiliated baseball in North America. His journey underscores the evolving career paths for pitchers who have spent time in the majors and are exploring international leagues to extend their playing days and demonstrate their skills on a different stage.