Phillies pitcher leaves MLB to sign contract in Korea's KBO originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Matt Manning wasn't with the Philadelphia Phillies for very long.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe won't be coming back, either.
The right-handed pitcher is heading to Korea to play in the KBO.
The Samsung Lions announced Sunday that Manning has signed a one-year, $1 million contract to play for them.
MORE: Yale completes an insane, historic comeback in FCS Playoffs
Manning was outrighted away from the Phillies' roster in September and chose minor league free agency in November.
He was originally the No. 9 overall pick in the 2016 MLB Draft by the Tigers.
Manning appeared in parts of four MLB seasons with Detroit. In 50 starts, he had a 4.43 ERA with 178 strikeouts in 254 innings pitched.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementHe didn't come to the Phillies until the 2025 trade deadline. The Tigers traded him to Philadelphia for minor leaguer Josueth Quinonez.
MORE: Adam Schefter blasted for framing of latest Shedeur Sanders news
At that point, Manning headed to Double-A Reading, where he made just two outings (10.80 ERA) before the season was over.
It appears that Manning has never lived up to the hype of when he was drafted.
At 27 years old, Manning still has time to revitalize his career in the KBO and potentially return stateside. But for now, he'll be crossing the Pacific to continue his baseball life.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementMore news:
Baylor Scheierman's stats as a high school QB are insane
Olympic sensation Quincy Wilson commits to a Big Ten school
LeBron passes Michael in a stat that means nothing in the GOAT debate
Caitlin Clark might be the reason Steph Curry left Under Armour
Shedeur Sanders given Barack Obama-level praise by NBA champion
The new Stranger Things character was also an MLB All Star with the Brewers
