Seoul: The Doosan Bears have officially announced the extension of their contract with pitcher Wes Benjamin, who was initially brought in as a temporary injury replacement. The new agreement, set to last six weeks, will see Benjamin through to July 1 with a compensation of US$50,000.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Benjamin was initially signed on April 6 to fill the gap left by injured starter Chris Flexen. This move aligns with the Korea Baseball Organization's (KBO) 2024 rule permitting teams to sign short-term replacements for foreign players who are sidelined for a minimum of six weeks.

In a remarkable display of skill shortly after his contract extension was confirmed, Benjamin delivered a stellar performance against the NC Dinos. He pitched eight shutout innings, securing a 1-0 victory at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. With this game, he earned his first win of the season, improving his record to 1-3 and reducing his ERA from 4.10 to 3.15.

Benjamin, an American left-hander, has a history in the KBO, having previously played for the KT Wiz from 2022 to 2024, during which he achieved a 31-18 record with a 3.74 ERA in 74 starts. The Bears are currently managing without Chris Flexen, who has been sidelined since early April due to a rotator cuff injury. Flexen's return is anticipated in July, with the possibility of starting rehab games in the minor league by June, as indicated by Bears' manager Kim Won-hyong.