Former Los Angeles Dodgers right-fielder Yasiel Puig is returning to play in the Korean Baseball Organization, the highest level of baseball in South Korea. Puig announced he is returning to the Kiwoom Heroes for the 2025 season after previously playing for the team in 2022.
“Thank you HEROES I am so honored and happy to go back. This 2025 we get the [trophy],” Puig wrote on X.
Puig began his professional career with the Dodgers after they signed him to a seven-year, $42 million in 2012. He made his major league debut in June 2013, and became an MLB All-Star in 2014 as he hit .296 with 16 home runs and 69 RBIs. Puig remained with the Dodgers through the 2018 season, but was traded to the Cincinnati Reds following the season. He played for the Reds and Cleveland Guardians in 2019, before playing internationally after the 2019 season.
Puig has since played in the Dominican Professional Baseball League, the Mexican League, and, most recently, the Venezuelan Winter League. He announced his departure from the Venezuelan Winter League earlier this month.
“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,” Puig wrote on X in a translated post. “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.”
Puig added, “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.”
When Puig last played in the KBO with the Heroes, he helped the team advance to the Korea Series — the Championship Series in the KBO League — where the Heroes lost to SSG Landers.
