Seoul: The Lotte Giants will start American left-hander Charlie Barnes in the first game of the new regular season in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on Saturday. Who will follow him in the rotation remains up in the air.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Giants manager Kim Tae-hyoung announced that Barnes will take the mound in his second career Opening Day start. Barnes had also started the first game of the 2022 season, marking his debut year in the KBO.
The team's other American pitcher, Tucker Davidson, is a potential candidate for the No. 2 starter position. However, Kim mentioned the possibility of opting for homegrown right-hander Park Se-woong for Sunday's game. "Barnes has been coming along nicely," Kim stated to reporters at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, before a preseason game against the Kiwoom Heroes. "Davidson has pitched well, but we'll have to see how he does in real games. The first game will be important for both him and the team."
Davidson had an impressive preseason debut, pitching two perfect innings and striking out three batters against the Kia Tigers on March 8. However, his performance faltered five days later when he allowed seven hits over four innings against the Hanwha Eagles.
Park, aged 29, has been the Giants' leading South Korean starter for several seasons, though he struggled with a 4.78 ERA in 2024, his worst performance in a full season as a starter. Park pitched for his third preseason outing on Monday. In his previous two games, he was charged with four earned runs over five innings, allowing seven hits, including a home run.