Six-Year Veteran MLB Pitcher Heads To Korea

After signing a minor league contract with the New York Mets this spring, but failing to get a call-up thus far, right-hander Felix Peña has opted out of his deal to sign with the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO.

Right-hander Félix Peña, who made the Mets' season-opening taxi squad after signing a minor league deal in February, has exercised an out in his contract so that he can go pitch in Korea, per source.

Peña produced a 4.06 ERA in six starts and two relief appearances for Syracuse.

— Anthony DiComo (@AnthonyDiComo) June 7, 2022

The 32-year-old will earn $500,000 for the balance of the season in Korea. 

Peña served in multiple roles for the Los Angeles Angels over the past several years, both as a starter and reliever. In six years in the majors, he compiled a 15-8 record with a 4.66 ERA, striking out just more than a batter per inning. 

Pena had a rough 2021, getting hammered to the tune of an 8.01 ERA at Triple-A, and allowing 7 earned runs in just 1.2 innings for the Angels. But a strong turnaround in the Dominican Winter League, with 1.91 ERA, earned him the minor league deal with the Mets, and now a nice payday in Korea.

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