There have been several changes to the KBO’s financial landscape in recent years. Some have been smaller — an increase in the league’s minimum annual salary, as well as an added roster spot — but there have been bigger changes, too. Few could have more impact than the contract extension announced this week between the Hanhwa Eagles and third baseman Si-Hwan Roh. The 11-year, 30.7 billion won (roughly $21.3 million USD) deal is the longest (in years) and largest (in total dollars) in league history.

Notably, the agreement also includes a “posting permission clause” that will allow Roh to pursue an opportunity in MLB after the 2026 season (via the posting system). Where this new contract takes effect at the start of the 2027 season, Roh has effectively set the bar in advance for the kind of dollar-value deal he would seek from an MLB team next offseason.

The 25-year-old was originally a second-round pick by the Eagles in the 2019 KBO Draft. He’s quickly developed into a cornerstone of the franchise and has hit .264/.352/.449 over his seven seasons in the KBO, including a .260/.354/.497 line in 2025 with 28 2B, 32 HR, and 101 RBI. Provided he doesn’t jump to MLB, this deal will keep him in Hanwha for the remainder of his career.

He’s expected to start at third for Team Korea in the WBC, as well.

Japan’s WBC bullpen has taken a big hit, having now likely lost two of its top relievers.

Yuki Matsui sustained a groin injury during a live batting practice session late last week, and his status is listed as day-to-day by the Padres, according to MLB.com’s AJ Cassavell. No decisions have been made about Matsui’s status for the WBC, but his “window to ramp up for game action” is limited following the injury.

Matsui spent 10 seasons in the NPB to start his career, posting a 2.40 ERA with 860 SO over 659.2 IP. He collected 236 saves across that decade (fourth on the all-time NPB list; he was on pace to shatter the league record) before pursuing a chance to come to MLB, signing a five-year, $28 million deal with the Padres. The 30-year-old has a 3.86 ERA (109 ERA+) and 130 SO over 126.0 IP over the last two seasons in San Diego.

Meanwhile, Hanshin Tigers right-hander Daichi Ishii underwent surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon and will likely miss the entire 2026 season. The 28-year-old was covering the plate during an intrasquad game early in Tigers camp when he stumbled and sustained the injury. Ishii had an incredible year in 2025, allowing just a single earned run over 53.0 IP (a 0.16 ERA). He holds a 1.43 ERA over his five seasons in the league after Hanshin used the 8th overall pick in the 2021 Draft to select him.

When Baseball United first announced plans to launch a pro baseball league in the Middle East, headquartered in Dubai, it was met with both skepticism and cautious excitement. Three years after its founding, the league held its inaugural season this past winter (each team played nine games between November and December).

There appears to be optimism that Baseball United will return for a second season, but those hopes took a major hit last week. Kash Shaikh, one of the league’s co-founders and CEO, announced plans to step down from his position at the organization’s helm.

No replacement has been named.

Shaikh was a driving force behind the league's founding. His efforts are directly responsible for both the construction of a ballpark in Dubai and the subsequent interest and investment from several former MLB players who serve on the league’s board of directors (including Barry Larkin, Mariano Rivera, Elvis Andrus (who also handled play-by-play broadcast duties), Matt Barnes, and others).

The YES Network confirmed several planned changes to the Yankees' broadcast booth this season. Michael Kay will still be joined by former players Paul O’Neill, David Cone, and Joe Girardi in some alignment (O’Neill works the bulk of the schedule), but the team is limiting the mix to those three.

ESPN’s Ryan Ruocco will still fill in for Kay for select games (Kay doesn’t travel to Sacramento and a handful of other smaller markets, typically).

Former players John Flaherty, Todd Frazier, and Jeff Nelson will not return to the rotation this season for YES. Frazier will reportedly be involved in the network’s pre- and post-game studio coverage, per Awful Announcing’s Matt Yoder, but the others will not be returning.

The change is a welcome one, frankly. O’Neill, Cone, and Girardi all do excellent jobs in the booth alongside Kay. None of Flaherty, Nelson, or Frazier has the same impact (or personality) for the role during games. There was more than one instance in recent years when a West Coast road trip ended up featuring a broadcast booth of Ruocco and Flaherty, which led me to simply not watch the game (or at least pay less attention).

In separate broadcast news, Phillies legend Mike Schmidt will not be returning to the booth this season. The team’s play-by-play announcer, Tom McCarthy, revealed that news on social media over the weekend. The 76-year-old Schmidt has worked select weekend home games for the team’s broadcasts since 2014.

Per a press release from NBC Sports Philadelphia, McCarthy will be joined in the booth by a rotation featuring former players Ruben Amaro Jr., Ben Davis, and John Kruk. Cole Hamels is also expected to work select games and help with in-studio hosting responsibilities for the pre- and post-game show. In-stadium reporter Taryn Hatcher was not brought back this season.

Bob Melvin has returned to the Athletics organization as a special advisor to the front office. Melvin spent 22 years managing in the big leagues, including 11 with the A’s from 2011-21. The team reached the postseason six times under his leadership and won three AL West division titles.

Coastal Carolina left-hander Dominick Carbone will miss the 2026 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. The 20-year-old is 11-1 with a 3.63 ERA in 79.1 IP (all out of the bullpen) over the last two seasons with the Chanticleers.

Razorbacks second baseman Camden Kozeal hit for the cycle on Saturday during Arkansas’s 7-6 win over Xavier. The 21-year-old has hit .319/.382/.568 during his collegiate career, including a strong start to his junior season. Kozeal is the third Razorbacks player to hit for the cycle in the last five seasons.