KT Wiz release Henry Ramos, sign former major leaguer Anthony Alford

Anthony Alford [AP/YONHAP]

The KT Wiz on Thursday released outfielder Henry Ramos and signed former major leaguer Anthony Alford.

Ramos joined the Wiz on a $1-million deal this year as the first foreign player to sign to a KBO club during the offseason. After appearing in 18 games for the Wiz, Ramos suffered a toe fracture that has taken him out of action since April 23 and ultimately pushed the club to replace him.

Henry Ramos [NEWS1]

Over 18 appearances with the Wiz, Ramos had a .250 batting average with 18 hits, 10 runs, 11 RBIs and three home runs.

Ramos is replaced by Alford, who made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017. After playing three seasons in Toronto, Alford joined the Pittsburgh Pirates in the middle of the 2020 season. He stayed with the Pirates until the start of this season, appearing in two games in April before joining the Cleveland Guardians organization where he has played in the minors.

Alford has made a total of 102 major league appearances, picking up 46 hits, 25 runs, 16 RBIs and eight home runs for a career .209 batting average. In the minors he has appeared in 562 games and carries a .268 batting average.

Announcing the signing, KT said that Alford's power, ability to produce hits and defensive skills are all expected to benefit the club. According to reports, the deal is worth $577,000.

Ramos is the second foreign player in the KBO to be released this season, after former teammate William Cuevas was also dropped by the Wiz last week. Cuevas, a longstanding part of the Suwon club, was also released following an injury that took him out of action after just two games.

Cuevas was replaced by former Chicago White Sox minor leaguer Wes Benjamin.

The Wiz, the reigning KBO champions, have got off to a rough start this season and currently sit in eighth place with 20 wins and 25 losses in the early stages of the season.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]