Guardians Sell Veteran Pitcher Velasquez Contract Korea

The Cleveland Guardians have sold the contract of veteran right-handed pitcher Vince Velasquez to the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), marking a significant shift in his professional career as he moves overseas. Velasquez, 33, spent the 2025 season pitching in Triple-A Columbus with a solid 3.42 ERA and a strong strikeout rate, but he never appeared in a Major League game for the Guardians despite being briefly called up in April. Having undergone elbow surgery in 2023 and missing that season, Velasquez is fully recovered and sought a more competitive environment in Korea, where the Giants are in playoff contention. Throughout his MLB career, Velasquez has pitched for five teams over nine seasons, compiling a 38-51 record with a 4.88 ERA, and was once viewed as a rising star during his tenure with the Philadelphia Phillies. This transaction, involving a cash payment from the Giants to the Guardians, also reflects the Guardians' current pitching depth and their willingness to allow Velasquez to pursue new opportunities abroad. The move aligns with KBO's roster strategies ahead of their postseason eligibility deadline and offers Velasquez a fresh start after his time in the U.S. minor and major leagues.