SSG Landers sign Shawn Morimando to replace Ivan Nova

Pitcher Shawn Morimando poses as he signs his contract to join the SSG Landers in an image released by the club on Tuesday. [SSG LANDERS]

The SSG Landers on Tuesday announced the signing of former major league pitcher Shawn Morimando for $230,000, releasing Ivan Nova to make room on the roster.

Morimando, who was released by Taiwanese club CTBC Brothers on Sunday, will earn $180,000 in guaranteed salary with $50,000 available in incentives.

Morimando was drafted by the Cleveland Indians, now the Cleveland Guardians, in 2011, working his way through the organization's minor league affiliates until he made his big league debut in July 2016. He played in two MLB games that season before dropping back into the minors, and didn't make it back to the majors until 2021, when he made four appearances with the Miami Marlins.

The rest of Morimando's career has been spent in the minors and the independent baseball leagues, as well as a spell in Taiwan's Chinese Professional Baseball League. he signed with the Brothers in September last year to see out the 2021 season, the re-signed for the 2022 season.

Morimando leaves the Brothers with seven wins and five losses and a 2.56 ERA in 15 appearances this season. The Taiwanese club appear to have released Morimando so that he could pursue the opportunity in Korea, not because of any issues with his performance.

Morimando replaces Nova, the former New York Yankees pitcher who was seen as one of the biggest names ever to join a KBO team when he was signed in December last year.

Injuries overshadowed the Dominican veteran's career here, with just 12 appearances in the season so far for three wins, four losses and a 6.50 ERA.

Nova is the second SSG foreign player to face the chop in the last week, with the club announcing last Friday that Kevin Cron was being released to make room for former major league Gold Glove winner Juan Lagares. Cron made his KBO debut with the Landers this year, but leaves the club with a .222 batting average, 35 RBIs and 11 home runs having spent some time in the Futures League in recent weeks.

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