Daegu: The Samsung Lions announced on Friday that they have granted a second contract extension to their injury replacement pitcher, Jack O'Loughlin. The extension comes as the Lions continue to leverage O'Loughlin's performances to maintain their competitive edge.
According to Yonhap News Agency, O'Loughlin initially joined the Lions on March 16 as a temporary replacement for American starter Matt Manning. His initial contract paid him $50,000 for a six-week period. With the new extension, O'Loughlin will earn $100,000 through July 16, signaling the Lions' confidence in his abilities.
Korea Baseball Organization clubs, since 2024, have had the option to acquire temporary replacements for injured foreign players expected to be out for at least six weeks. O'Loughlin's performance during his initial contract period included a record of 0-2, with a 4.50 ERA, 27 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 28 innings. Despite these initial figures, the Lions decided to extend his contract for an additional six weeks at $30,000 on April 30.
In May, O'Loughlin demonstrated significant improvement, achieving a perfect 4-0 record and posting a 2.70 ERA with 20 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings. His contributions have been pivotal for the Lions, who were in first place as of Friday, with a 30-18-1 record, having won three consecutive games and boasting the league's best ERA at 3.94.