The 2026 Korea Baseball Organization season began on March 28, just a few days later than Major League Baseball. After setting an attendance record in 2025, all five Opening Day KBO games were sold out.
There are 10 teams in the KBO, but only five of them will qualify for the postseason. Last year’s KBO MVP, right-hander Cody Ponce, signed a three-year contract during the offseason with the Toronto Blue Jays but is out for the season after tearing his ACL in his first MLB appearance since 2021.
Similar to the Blue Jays, several KBO clubs are scrambling to find replacements for injured pitchers.
Bears, Dinos Suffer Key Losses With Injuries to Frontline Starters
Many clubs are searching for foreign pitcher replacements while the injuries continue to pile up for their staff. KBO teams are allowed to sign foreign players to six-week contracts as injury insurance.
Doosan Bears starter and former Chicago Cubs swingman Chris Flexen exited Friday’s game due to back pain. Flexen’s injury was later diagnosed as a partial tear of the subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder, per a report from Korea JoongAng Daily.
In the same report, NC Dinos right-hander Riley Thompson was described as having suffered a left oblique tear, which will keep him on the injured list for at least six weeks. Thompson and Ponce finished last season tied for the league lead in wins with 17.
All-Star Game Location Revealed
This year’s KBO All-Star Game, Futures All-Star Game, and Home Run Derby will be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea. It is the home ballpark of the KBO’s Bears and LG Twins, but will close at the conclusion of the 2026 season.
According to The Chosun Daily, the Seoul Metropolitan Government is planning to build a new stadium in Jamsil with a dome. The current Jamsil Baseball Stadium, which opened in 1982, will be demolished after the year.
The Futures All-Star Game and Home Run Derby are scheduled for July 10, with the KBO All-Star Game the following day.
Lions Veteran Slugger Rewrites History Books With Historic Homer
At 42 years, three months, and 15 days old, Samsung Lions outfielder Choi Hyoung-woo became the oldest player in league history to connect for a home run on March 31 against the Bears.
Choi’s blast broke Shin-Soo Choo’s previous record at 42 years and 22 days with his solo homer against Bears starting pitcher Jack Logan in the seventh inning. After spending the last nine seasons with the Kia Tigers, Choi returned to the Lions, the club he made his debut with as an 18-year-old in 2002.
His homer was his first in a Lions uniform since Sep. 19, 2016. In the nine seasons Choi played 113 or more games with Samsung, he hit .305 or better in five of them, including a ridiculous .376/.464/.651 slash line with 31 homers and 144 RBIs in his final season with the organization before joining the Tigers.
KBO Standings as of Wednesday, April 8
1. SSG Landers (7-3-0)
2. KT Wiz (7-3-0)
3. LG Twins (6-4-0)
4. NC Dinos (6-4-0)
5. Hanwha Eagles (6-4-0)
6. Samsung Lions (5-4-1)
7. Doosan Bears (3-6-1)
8. Kiwoom Heroes (3-7-0)
9. Lotte Giants (3-7-0)
10. Kia Tigers (3-7-0)
Photo: The playoffs in the KBO are approaching, but it looks as though the ninth-place Doosan Bears and their mascot, Cheolwoong, won’t be there. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
