Kiwoom Heroes announced the signing of pitcher Kenny Rosenberg as a short-term injury replacement for Nathan Wiles ahead of their 2026 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League regular season game against the NC Dinos at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on April 21, 2026.
The transaction was confirmed before the matchup, with Kiwoom securing Rosenberg for an aggregate $50,000 to fill the vacancy created when Wiles was removed from the first-team roster due to shoulder discomfort following his last outing.
Wiles, a 28-year-old foreign pitcher, had made four starts (24 innings) for Kiwoom this season, posting a 3-loss record and a 4.13 earned run average. In his final appearance before the injury, he suffered a loss against the KT Wiz after allowing 12 hits (including one home run), two strikeouts, and five runs over six innings.
After that game, Wiles reported discomfort in his shoulder and was subsequently removed from the active roster. Medical evaluations revealed a partial tear of the right supraspinatus tendon and signs of inflammation in the scapular joint, with recovery expected to seize six weeks or more.
Rosenberg, who previously served as Kiwoom’s No. 1 starter in the 2025 season, is familiar to the organization. During his prior stint, he compiled a 4-4 record and a 3.23 ERA across 13 appearances (75 1/3 innings) before being diagnosed with femoroacetabular impingement due to a left femoral head bone spur in June 2025, which required surgery and led to his replacement by C.C. Mercedes.
Since undergoing rehabilitation, Rosenberg has recovered to normal physical condition and completed preparations for a return to game action, including recent live pitching sessions. Although he is not currently signed to any club, his health status is reportedly sufficient to attract interest from minor league teams.
Kiwoom stated that the club prioritized securing a player who could report quickly, leading to the pursuit of Rosenberg. He is expected to join the team once visa issuance and administrative procedures are finalized.
The Heroes entered the contest against the NC Dinos seeking to stabilize their pitching rotation amid the unexpected absence of Wiles, who had been counted on as part of their foreign pitcher contingent for the 2026 campaign.
Gocheok Sky Dome, located in Seoul, hosted the matchup as part of the KBO League’s ongoing regular season schedule. The venue has served as Kiwoom’s home field for several seasons and is known for its indoor climate-controlled environment, which minimizes weather-related disruptions.
As of the announcement, no further details were released regarding Rosenberg’s exact timeline for debut or potential roster moves once Wiles becomes eligible to return from injury.
The KBO League continues its 2026 season with teams navigating roster adjustments due to injuries, performance, and strategic planning as the campaign progresses toward the latter stages of the regular schedule.
For ongoing updates on Kiwoom Heroes transactions, player statuses, and KBO League developments, fans are encouraged to follow official league communications and team announcements.
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