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Ex-MLB All-Star Ryu Hyun-jin to start vs. Dominican Republic in quarterfinals

Published: 13 Mar. 2026, 10:20

Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin trains for the quarterfinal game against the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park in Miami on March 12. [YONHAP]

Korea will start former major league All-Star Ryu Hyun-jin against the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) on Friday.

Manager Ryu Ji-hyun announced during a press conference at loanDepot park in Miami on Thursday, the eve of Korea's first knockout game of this year's tournament.

Ryu Hyun-jin, 38, spent 10 seasons in MLB with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays. He was the National League (NL) All-Star Game starter while with the Dodgers in 2019, the same year in which he led MLB with a 2.32 ERA and finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting.

This is Ryu's first WBC since 2009, when Korea lost to Japan in the final.

During Pool C play in Tokyo, Ryu gave up a run on three hits in three innings against Chinese Taipei in what ended up being a 5-4 extra-inning loss for Korea.

"I've named him as our starter because he is Ryu Hyun-jin," manager Ryu said. "He is the pitcher that we trust the most."

Ryu Hyun-jin, left, chats with Manny Machado of the Dominican Republic during their workout day ahead of the quarterfinal game at the World Baseball Classic at loanDepot park in Miami on March 12. [YONHAP]

Ryu Hyun-jin and the rest of the pitching staff will have to deal with the explosive Dominican lineup that led all countries in home runs (13), runs (41), walks (33), batting average (.313), on-base percentage (.458) and slugging percentage (.672) in the first round. Established MLB sluggers, such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr. and Juan Soto, have been driving the lethal offense.

Ryu Hyun-jin will be opposed by left-hander Cristopher Sanchez, the 2025 NL Cy Young runner-up for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Sanchez went 13-5 with a 2.50 ERA across 202 innings last year while striking out 212 and leading MLB in Baseball-Reference.com's wins above replacement with 8.0.

Manager Ryu said his batters will have to be wary of Sanchez's devastating changeup.

"I don't need to explain how great he is. He throws a great changeup that drops on the outside corner against right-handed batters," he said. "Our guys will have to focus on getting on base against him. If they can be selective about the changeup that falls away from them, then we will be able to play a competitive game."

Yonhap