Seoul: American pitcher Chris Flexen has rejoined the Doosan Bears after spending the past five seasons in the United States. The Bears announced Thursday they have reunited with the American right-hander on a one-year deal worth US$1 million.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Flexen, 31, previously pitched for the Bears in 2020, going 8-4 with a 3.01 ERA in 116 2/3 innings over 21 starts. He had 132 strikeouts against 30 walks that year. Despite missing about two months due to a foot injury, he finished the year with a 4-0 record and a 0.85 ERA over five starts in October. Flexen played a significant role in the Bears' postseason, helping them reach the Korean Series before losing to the NC Dinos. He was the first Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) pitcher to record 10 or more strikeouts in consecutive postseason games and was named the MVP of the penultimate round.

Flexen previously played for the New York Mets for three years before joining the KBO. After his time with the Bears, he returned to the U.S. and pitched for the Seattle Mariners from 2021 to 2023. In 2021, he led the Mariners with 14 wins, a 3.61 ERA, and 179 2/3 innings pitched but struggled to replicate that success in subsequent seasons. After a brief stint with the Mets in 2023, he was released and later signed by the Colorado Rockies. Flexen also played for the Chicago White Sox in 2024 and the Chicago Cubs before being released in August. His major league career includes a 35-50 record with a 4.83 ERA in 174 games, including 111 starts. Flexen will replace Cole Irvin in the Bears' rotation.

Also on Thursday, the Bears brought back left-hander Zach Logue for his second KBO season on a one-year deal worth $1.1 million. Logue went 10-8 with a 2.81 ERA in 30 games this year. Despite the Bears spending most of the year near the bottom of the standings, Logue was the only pitcher to win at least 10 games for the team. The 29-year-old American pitcher improved as the season progressed, posting the third-best ERA in the league in the second half with 2.14.

The Bears have already filled their Asian quota with Japanese pitcher Ichiro Tamura. They are currently searching for a foreign-born hitter after deciding not to retain American outfielder Jake Cave. KBO teams are allowed to sign a maximum of two pitchers and one position player from overseas, with an Asian quota place beginning in the 2026 season.