Former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Yasiel Puig is returning to the KBO League, the highest level of professional baseball in Korea. Puig was recently playing with the Tiburones de La Guaira of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, but is now returning to Korea to play baseball.
Puig announced this change on social media earlier this week in Spanish.
With deep admiration and affection for the fans of La Guaira and all of Venezuela, I tell you from the bottom of my heart how grateful I am for your support and acceptance of this humble madman who only came to want to bring you the best of the sport. Thank you to my agent and to the people in the organization of the Tiburones who never fail me or stop supporting me to have new and great opportunities.”
“Due to matters of a contract proposal for 2025, which was already in motion when I signed again here, my new team has asked me to retire from playing this winter to prepare my new path.
This was a very difficult but necessary decision at this time in my life, and I always want to give the best of myself to the people who trust me for their teams.
“I love Venezuela and this is not a goodbye forever, the opportunity is still open to return to my beloved Guaira. I continue to support our beloved team in bringing the best players so they can see that second championship!”
Born in Cienfuegos, Cuba, Puig signed a seven-year contract with the Dodgers in 2012. Puig played for the Dodgers for six seasons after making his Major League debut in 2013. In addition to helping the Dodgers make it to the World Series in 2017 and 2018, despite the Dodgers losing both series, Puig was named an MLB All-Star in 2014. Puig was dealt to the Cincinnati Reds after the 2018 season. Before being traded to Cleveland, he played with the Reds for the first part of the 2019 season. Puig has participated in the KBO League, the Mexican League, the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League, and the Dominican Professional Baseball League since the 2019 season.
