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Samsung Lions Sign Matt Manning, Add Japan’s Yura Miyaji Under New KBO Asian Quota

The signings leverage a new 2026 foreign-player slot as Manning pursues a KBO reset.

Overview

  • Manning agreed to a one-year, $1 million deal and is expected to vie for a rotation role alongside returning starter Ariel Jurado.
  • The former Tigers first-round pick made 50 MLB starts from 2021–24, posting an 11–15 record with a 4.43 ERA over 254 innings.
  • He spent 2025 entirely in the minors with Detroit and Philadelphia after a July trade, recording a 2–3 mark and 6.47 ERA in 55 2/3 innings, then was outrighted in September before electing free agency.
  • Samsung also signed Japanese right-hander Yura Miyaji as its Asian quota player on a $100,000 contract with up to $50,000 in incentives.
  • Under a 2026 KBO rule allowing an additional foreign player from Asia or Australia, the Lions plan to deploy Miyaji in the bullpen.