Seoul: The Doosan Bears announced Thursday they have extended their contract with temporary injury replacement pitcher Wes Benjamin. Benjamin agreed to a new six-week deal, which runs through July 1, at US$50,000, the Bears said.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the Bears initially signed Benjamin to a six-week contract on April 6, asking the American left-hander to fill in for injured starter Chris Flexen. Since 2024, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has permitted teams to sign short-term replacements for foreign players sidelined for at least six weeks.

Benjamin recorded a 0-3 record with a 4.10 ERA in five starts before Thursday. The left-hander previously pitched for another KBO club, the KT Wiz, from 2022 to 2024, achieving a 31-18 record with a 3.74 ERA in 74 starts.

Flexen has been out since early April with a rotator cuff injury. The Bears do not expect him back until July. Their manager, Kim Won-hyong, mentioned earlier this week that Flexen might be able to start pitching in rehab games in the minor league in June.