After ending the 2025 season in the Minor Leagues with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, Matt Sauer has signed with KT Wiz of the KBO League in South Korea.
Sauer’s one-year contract with the Wiz is worth $950,000, of which $200,000 was paid in the form of signing bonus.
“Sauer is a power pitcher with extensive starting experience, and we expect him to anchor the rotation with his strong fastball and diverse pitches,” Wiz general manager Na Do-hyun said in a statement.
Sauer went 2-1 with a 6.37 ERA and 1.45 WHIP in 10 appearances (one start) with the Dodgers this year. The right-hander spent one day with the club in August before getting optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 22 as the corresponding move to Tanner Scott returning from the injured list.
That was the fifth time Sauer had been optioned to the Minors during the season, which is the most allowed for one year under the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA).
During his time with Oklahoma City, the 26-year-old went 5-5 with one save and a 5.86 ERA in 18 games (17 starts).
Sauer was released by the Dodgers on Sept. 10 after he cleared waivers. He had been designated for assignment on Sept. 6 to make room on their 40-man roster for Chuckie Robinson.
Sauer did not pitch for the Comets after re-signing with the Dodgers, which came before the deadline to be eligible for the postseason.
Sauer made his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2024, throwing 16.1 innings with a 7.71 ERA.
Matt Sauer joins KBO as foreign-born pitcher
KBO teams are permitted to carry a maximum of two foreign-born pitchers on their roster in any given season. The Wiz started this year with Enmanuel De Jesus and William Cuevas on their roster under such provision.
Cuevas was then replaced by Patrick Murphy in July. It’s not yet known if Sauer will on the Wiz roster in place of De Jesus or Murphy for the 2026 season.
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