Pitcher Ryan Weiss, who joined Major League Baseball's Houston Astros on the strength of his performance with the KBO League's Hanwha Eagles last year, faces release after just half a season.
The Houston club announced Tuesday that it had designated Weiss for assignment (DFA). Weiss joined Hanwha during the 2024 season and made a strong impression in 2025, appearing in 30 games and recording 16 wins, 5 losses, a 2.87 ERA, and 207 strikeouts. Powered by Weiss's performance, Hanwha advanced to the Korean Series.
Having caught the eye of MLB scouts, Weiss signed a one-year contract worth a total of 2.6 million dollars (about 4 billion won) with Houston after the season ended and headed to the United States. Weiss, who made the team's opening-day roster, was expected to perform well in the big leagues, but he fell short of expectations, posting 3 losses and a 7.62 ERA in 9 regular-season games.
Weiss was demoted to the minor leagues hoping for a rebound, but struggled with no wins, 3 losses, and an 8.41 ERA over 5 games. Houston ultimately decided to release him.
Weiss can immediately transfer if a team expresses interest in signing him. However, if no team wants him, his status will change to that of a minor leaguer or he will become a free agent (FA). Some have raised the possibility that Weiss could return to Hanwha, where he had thrived.
