SEOUL, March 25, 2025 -- The SSG Landers announced that their injured starting pitcher, Mitch White, could make his South Korean debut in April. This announcement comes after a test conducted on March 24 confirmed that White has fully recovered from a right hamstring injury he sustained during spring training. The Landers revealed that White is scheduled to throw a bullpen session later today, indicating a steady progression towards getting back on the mound.
"If things go well in the first couple of bullpen sessions, he will move on to live batting practice, and then we will schedule a rehab outing in the minor league," the Landers stated. If all goes according to plan, White could potentially play his first Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) game in early or mid-April.
Mitch White, who was signed by the Landers in November 2024, was expected to create a formidable duo with ace Drew Anderson at the top of the rotation. However, he encountered a setback when he developed a hamstring issue during training in late February 2025. Initially, there were concerns that the severity of his injury might prompt the Landers to seek a temporary replacement. Fortunately, the team was relieved to find White’s recovery ahead of schedule.
White, born to a Korean mother and an American father, is well-known on the baseball circuit. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and has had a mixed career in Major League Baseball (MLB), with a record of 4-12 and an ERA of 5.25 over 185 innings. In the minors, he was more successful, boasting a record of 26-21 with a 3.93 ERA in 126 games. White's fastball averaged 152 km/h, with speeds reaching as high as 157 km/h, contributing to the high expectations surrounding him.
During spring training in the United States, White quickly established rapport with his teammates and demonstrated good form in practice games, raising hopes for a successful season. However, the injury made his absence notable during the Landers’ opening games, where Drew Anderson and other native pitchers had to step up.
On the other hand, Park Sung-han, a key player for SSG, also experienced injury woes recently. He was hit on the wrist by a pitch during the opening game against the Doosan Bears on March 22, but subsequent evaluations confirmed that he only had a bruise and would be able to return to the lineup. Park was reportedly ready to play against the Lotte Giants on March 25, easing concerns regarding his condition.
The SSG Landers not only enjoy the excitement of potentially integrating White back into the pitching rotation but also shrugging off injury setbacks to key players like Park. If all goes well, White could add significant depth and performance up the pitching hierarchy when he resumes play.
With the season freshly underway, fans are looking forward to seeing how both White and Park impact the team as they aim for a successful KBO campaign.
