More foreign players face the chop with a third of the season now gone

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More foreign players face the chop with a third of the season now gone

Rio Ruiz reacts after hitting into a double play during a game between the LG Twins and Samsung Lions and Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul on May 27. [NEWS1]

Rio Ruiz reacts after hitting into a double play during a game between the LG Twins and Samsung Lions and Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul on May 27. [NEWS1]

 
Hanwha Eagles pitcher Ryan Carpenter and LG Twins hitter Rio Ruiz were both placed on waivers early this week as KBO clubs reassess their foreign players with one third of the season already played.
 
The Twins released Ruiz on Monday after the former major leaguer failed to find his feet in the KBO.
 
Ruiz, who played 30 games in the majors for the Colorado Rockies last season, managed just 27 games in the KBO before his career here was cut short. He leaves the league with a .155 batting average with 13 hits, 10 RBIs and one home run having spent a large part of his time with the Twins playing for their Futures League team.
 
The Twins are yet to announce a replacement for Ruiz as of press time Wednesday, but general manager Cha Myeong-seok reportedly traveled to the United States last week to scout possible new signees. In the meantime, the Twins are left without a foreign position player.
 
Ryan Carpenter pitches in the first inning of a game between the Hanwha Eagles and Kia Tigers at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on April 6. [YONHAP]

Ryan Carpenter pitches in the first inning of a game between the Hanwha Eagles and Kia Tigers at Gwangju Kia Champions Field on April 6. [YONHAP]

 
The Eagles on Tuesday cut ties with Carpenter, a second-year starter who has struggled with elbow pain this season.
 
Carpenter carries a respectable 2.50 ERA, but has only been able to start in four games so far this season. After three starts in April, Carpenter spent nearly a month on the sidelines before returning to the mound for a game against the Doosan Bears on May 25. He was only able to pitch three innings in that game before once again returning to the dugout.
 
The Eagles on Wednesday announced the signing of former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Yefry Ramirez to replace Carpenter.
 
Ruiz and Carpenter are the third and fourth foreign players to be dropped this season. Earlier in May, the KT Wiz dropped longstanding ace William Cuevas and outfielder Henry Ramos.
 
Cuevas got the chop first following an injury that took him out of action after just two games. He was replaced by former Chicago White Sox minor leaguer Wes Benjamin. Ramos, who joined the Wiz this season, suffered a toe fracture that has taken him out of action since April 23 and ultimately pushed the club to replace him. He is being replaced by former major leaguer Anthony Alford.
 
For the Eagles and the Wiz, ranked at No. 9 and No. 8 on the KBO table as of press time, the changes could breathe new life into the struggling squads. The Twins have had a far better season and currently sit in fourth, but have dropped seven of their last 10 games to fall seven games behind the leading SSG Landers.

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