Matt Davidson, Andre Jackson Among Former MLBers Headed to KBO, NPB

Matt Davidson of the Oakland Athletics fields during the game against the Kansas City Royals at RingCentral Coliseum on June 17, 2022 in Oakland, California. The Royals defeated the Athletics 5-1. (Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images)

Former MLB Infielder Matt Davidson Signs With NC Dinos In KBO – According to Yoo Jee-ho of Yonhap News Agency, Matt “Davidson’s contract is a one-year deal worth $1 million with a maximum amount allowed for first-year foreign players in the KBO. Davidson will make $560,000 in salary, $140,000 in signing bonus and up to $300,000 in incentives.” 

Davidson, 32, was born in Yucaipa, Calif., and played six seasons in MLB with Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013, the Chicago White Sox from 2016-18, the Cincinnati Reds in 2020, and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Oakland Athletics in 2022. 

During his MLB career, the right-handed hitter has played in 311 games making 1,112 plate appearances and batting .220 with 221 hits, 46 doubles, one triple, 54 home runs, 157 RBI, 88 walks, 381 strikeouts, and a .719 OPS. 

Last season, Davidson played in his first season overseas with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Nippon Professional Baseball. Davidson played in 112 games, batting .210 over 381 plate appearances with 73 hits, 16 doubles, one triple, 19 home runs, 44 RBI, 22 walks, 120 strikeouts, and a .698 OPS helping HIroshima finish second in the Central League at 74-65-4. 

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp were swept by the eventual 2023 Japan Series champion Hanshin Tigers in the second round of the playoffs in three games. 

According to Yoo, “KBO teams can sign up to three foreign players, with no more than two pitchers. The Dinos now have their three non-Korean players in place for next year, having earlier signed pitchers Daniel Castano and Kyle Hart.” 

RHP Andre Jackson Signs With Yokohama DeNA BayStars In NPB Season – Jackson, 27, was born in Vail, Ariz., and played three seasons in MLB from 2021-23 with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2023. 

The Dodgers designated Jackson for assignment on June 20 and the Pirates acquired him on June 25.

Last season, Jackson also spent time with Triple-A Oklahoma City in the Dodgers organization and Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization. 

With the Dodgers and Pirates, Jackson posted a 1-3 record with a 4.99 ERA in 19 appearances and seven starts along with two saves. Jackson threw 61.1 innings allowing 52 hits, 34 earned runs, 11 home runs, 22 walks, 57 strikeouts, and a 1.207 WHIP. 

During his time with Triple-A Oklahoma City and Triple-A Indianapolis, Jackson posted his record at 1-1 with a 5.17 ERA throwing 38.1 innings 16 appearances and 4 starts allowing 31 hits, 22 earned runs, five home runs, 23 walks, 44 strikeouts, and a 1.409 WHIP prior to him being released on December 22. 

In his three seasons in MLB, Jackson has a 1-4 record with a 4.25 ERA throwing 82.2 innings in 26 appearances and seven starts along with four saves. Jackson has allowed 71 hits, 39 earned runs, 12 home runs, 32 walks, 76 strikeouts, and a 1.246 WHIP. 

Report: RHP Drew VerHagen Returning to NPB’s Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters – 

VerHagen, 33, was born in Royse City, Texas, and played eight seasons in MLB with Detroit Tigers from 2014-19 and the St. Louis Cardinals from 2022-23. VerHagen returns to Hokkaido after playing two seasons with the organization in 2020 and 2021.  

In his two seasons with Ham Fighters, VerHagen posted a 13-14 record, throwing 208.2 innings with a 3.49 ERA in 39 appearances, allowing 182 hits, 81 earned runs, 14 home runs, 62 walks, 216 strikeouts, and a 1.169 WHIP. 

Last season, VerHagen posted a 5-1 record in 60 games out of the bullpen with a 3.98 ERA, throwing 61 innings and allowing 52 hits, 27 earned runs, nine home runs, 26 walks, 60 strikeouts, and a 1.279 WHIP. 

VerHagen signed with St. Louis on March 11, 2022 for a two-year contract that was worth $5.5 million. During VerHagen’s injury-shortened 2022 season with the Cardinals, he appeared in 19 games out of the bullpen posting a 3-1 record with a 6.65 ERA throwing 21.2 innings allowing 27 hits, 16 earned runs, five home runs, 14 walks, 18 strikeouts, and a 1.892 WHIP. 

In VerHagen’s eight seasons in the MLB, he has a lifetime 4.98 ERA with a 18-12 record, throwing 281.2 innings in 206 appearances and eight starts, allowing 288 hits, 156 earned runs, 43 home runs, 115 walks, 234 strikeouts, and a 1.431 WHIP.