There’s never a dull moment in the KBO League, and this week’s roster shake-up by the LG Twins ahead of their crucial series finale against the Lotte Giants at Busan Sajik Stadium proves it once again. On May 28, 2026, the Twins made headlines by removing foreign pitcher Yoni Chirinos from their 1st team roster—a move that signals both the end of an era and the start of a new chapter for the reigning champions.
Chirinos, a 32-year-old right-hander with a storied past in both Major League Baseball and the KBO, has found himself at a crossroads after a string of underwhelming performances. Just the night before, he struggled mightily against the Giants, surrendering 8 hits (including 2 home runs) and 6 runs over 3 and 2/3 innings. That outing, unfortunately, was emblematic of his 2026 campaign thus far, which has seen him post a 2-3 record and a bloated 6.68 ERA over 8 appearances. For a pitcher who helped lead LG to a championship just a season ago, the fall has been swift and surprising.
Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop didn’t mince words in his pregame media briefing. "Chirinos is a diligent player. He has a strong desire to succeed in the KBO League. Last season, he did more than his part," Yeom said, referring to Chirinos’ 13-win, 3.31 ERA campaign in 2025 that saw him anchor the rotation and dominate opponents. Yeom continued, "But right now, Lee Jeong-yong is better suited to the starting pitcher role. Chirinos needs to regain the 2-3 km/h he’s lost on his fastball. Without that velocity, the value of his other pitches drops off."
The numbers back up the manager’s assessment. Chirinos has failed to record a single quality start this season, rarely pitching beyond five innings and often finding himself in trouble early. His velocity dip, which Yeom and the coaching staff have monitored closely, has allowed hitters to square up his pitches more frequently, as evidenced by the spike in home runs and hard-hit balls. The pitcher, who once prided himself on inducing grounders and keeping the ball in the park, has watched his signature skills erode.
It’s not just performance that’s factored into LG’s decision. Chirinos has also battled health issues this year, missing about three weeks in late April due to elbow pain that required injection treatment. Although he avoided the injured list for much of the season, the lingering effects have clearly influenced his effectiveness on the mound. This marks the second time in 2026 that Chirinos has been removed from the 1st team roster for a period of retooling and recovery.
Despite the struggles, Yeom was quick to praise Chirinos’ character and contributions. "He’s been a key part of our team chemistry and wants to succeed here. We gave him as much time as possible—two months, in fact—because of what he did for us last season. But now, the team’s needs have to come first." The manager revealed that the decision to remove Chirinos was not taken lightly, especially given the pitcher’s role in LG’s 2025 title run. "Replacing a 17-win pitcher is never easy for a manager. We hoped he could build back up, but it just hasn’t worked out as planned."
With Chirinos out, the Twins are turning to Lee Jeong-yong to fill the rotation spot. Lee, who has shown promise in limited action, will be tasked with stabilizing a staff that has faced its share of adversity. Meanwhile, right-handed reliever Jang Hyun-sik has been called up to take Chirinos’ place on the roster. Jang, too, has had his ups and downs this season—he owns a 4-2 record, 2 saves, 7 holds, and a 5.50 ERA over 19 appearances but was recently sent to the Futures League after a pair of rough outings. However, he’s since posted two consecutive scoreless innings, earning another shot at the big club.
The LG bullpen has been in flux ever since closer Yoo Young-chan went down with an injury, forcing Yeom and his staff to explore numerous contingency plans. The uncertainty surrounding Chirinos’ role only added to the complications. Now, with the roster moves finalized, the Twins are scouting for a possible foreign replacement, though Yeom noted the search has been challenging. "We’ve been compiling a list of candidates since April, but many have moved up to the majors or aren’t available. We’re looking at both starters and relievers. Ultimately, it’ll come down to whether Chirinos can regain his form or if we find someone else faster."
Chirinos’ journey to the KBO was notable. Signed as an international amateur by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2012, he spent time with the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins, accumulating 75 games, 20 wins, and a 4.22 ERA in MLB before joining LG. His first KBO season was a revelation, and his performance in the Korean Series—especially a gritty 6-inning, 1-run outing in Game 4 against Hanwha—cemented his place in LG lore. But baseball is a results-driven business, and sentiment only goes so far when wins are at stake.
Elsewhere in the league, other teams are making roster adjustments as well. KT Wiz removed pitchers Sugimoto Gouki and Oh Won-seok from their 1st team, citing injury and rest, respectively, and promoted right-hander Kim Min-soo. The Samsung Lions called up starting pitcher Choi Won-tae and dropped catcher Park Se-hyuk, signaling that the churn of the season is in full swing as clubs jockey for position.
For Chirinos, the road ahead is uncertain. Yeom left the door open for a possible return, saying, "If he can raise his velocity by 2-3 km/h in the second team, we’ll consider calling him back up. But if not, we have to make the tough decisions necessary to keep this team winning." With LG’s championship ambitions undimmed and the KBO season heating up, every roster spot counts—and so does every pitch.
As the Twins prepare to face Lotte in the series finale, all eyes will be on how the new-look staff responds. Will Lee Jeong-yong seize his opportunity? Can Jang Hyun-sik provide stability in the bullpen? And will Chirinos, ever the competitor, find a way back? Time, as always in baseball, will tell.