NC Dinos re-sign free agent pitcher Lee Jae-hak

Lee Jae-hak of the NC Dinos [YONHAP]

NC Dinos on Friday re-signed free agent pitcher Lee Jae-hak on a two-plus-one deal worth up to 900 million won ($687,000).

Lee will earn 550 million won in salary spread over two years. At the end of the 2023 season, the Dinos retain the option to extend Lee's contract for another year for 350 million.

Lee debuted in 2009 when he was drafted by the Doosan Bears as their 10th pick in the second round.

Lee started playing for the Dinos in 2012. In 2013, Lee won the Rookie of the Year award after reaching a 2.88 ERA in 27 appearances with 10 wins, five losses and one save. He was the first Dinos player to ever win the Rookie of the Year title.

In the 2022 season, Lee dropped to a 4.75 ERA with three wins and eight losses.

“I am happy to be back with the club that I joined when the club was established," said Lee.

“I want to play with a new mindset, and I will try to play better than I have in the past.”

NC Dinos general manager Lim Sun-nam said, “I am glad to have gotten back Lee who was there with the club at all the important moments in the club’s history.

“I am looking forward to a stronger NC Dinos now that Lee has joined us.”

As of press time, there are six players left in the free agent market: Pitchers Han Hyun-hee, Jeong Chan-heon and Kang Yoon-goo, infielder Shin Bon-ki and outfielders Kwon Hui-dong and Lee Myung-ki.

BY YUN SO-HYANG [yun.sohyang@joongang.co.kr]