SSG Landers sign former MLB pitcher Pedro Avila

The SSG Landers announced the signing of former Major League Baseball pitcher Pedro Avila on Wednesday. Avila, 29, will earn a base salary of US$380,000 for the rest of the 2026 Korea Baseball Organization season and up to $200,000 in performance incentives.

Career background Avila appeared in 72 games for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Guardians between 2019 and 2024, posting an 8-4 record with a 3.51 ERA and 151 strikeouts in 146 1/3 innings. He pitched for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows in 2025, finishing 7-8 with a 4.04 ERA. This season Avila went 3-7 with a 7.50 ERA in 15 appearances for Cleveland's Triple-A affiliate, the Columbus Clippers.

Team context The Landers said Avila's fastball has reached 156 kilometers per hour and that his pitch mix includes a cutter, changeup, curveball and splitter. Avila replaces Anthony Veneziano, who was released Saturday after going 2-5 with a 6.10 ERA in 16 starts. Through Tuesday the Landers held the worst team ERA in the league at 5.87 and sat in ninth place at 31-50-3.