The former KBO star's poor performance in the majors raises questions about his future in Korea
Category: Sports
Ryan Weiss, the foreign ace who led Hanwha to a Korean Series runner-up finish last year, is generating buzz about a possible return to the KBO League. Weiss's wife, Hailey Brooke, recently posted on social media expressing excitement for "Home Run Club Season 2," sparking interest among Hanwha fans. Weiss recorded an impressive 16 wins and 5 losses with a 2.87 ERA during his previous season with Hanwha.
After finishing the season, Weiss signed with Houston, fulfilling his long-held dream of playing in Major League Baseball (MLB). Unfortunately, his performance this season has fallen short of expectations. In nine MLB games, he suffered three losses and posted a 7.62 ERA, leading to his demotion to the minor leagues. By June, he had been removed from the 40-man roster altogether.
Hailey Brooke's recent social media post, which read, "I’m ahead to Home Run Club Season 2," has reignited speculation about Weiss's potential return to Korea. This running club was founded in Daejeon last year by Hailey and Cody Ponce's wife. In July, she also expressed her longing for Korean culture, food, and people, indicating a strong emotional connection to the country.
For Hanwha, which has struggled with the performance of foreign pitchers like Hernandez and Zimmerman this season, the prospect of re-signing a proven ace like Weiss is enticing. The team holds Weiss's rights, meaning that if he returns to the KBO, he must wear a Hanwha uniform.
Weiss's time in MLB has not gone as planned. After signing a one-plus-one year contract worth up to $7.5 million, with a guaranteed salary of $2.6 million for 2026, Weiss was expected to contribute significantly to the Astros. His contract represented a substantial financial leap from the approximately $1 million he earned in Korea.
Unfortunately, Weiss's performance did not meet the team's expectations. He competed for a starting spot but ended up with a disappointing record in nine games, including two starts, with a 7.62 ERA and a WHIP of 2.12, indicating he allowed a high number of baserunners. By mid-June, he was designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster, leading to a transfer to the minor leagues.
In the minor leagues, Weiss continued to struggle, finishing with a 3-5 record and a 6.57 ERA over 20 Triple-A games. With the Astros improving their pitching staff, Weiss's chances of returning to the majors have diminished significantly.
As the 2026 season approaches its end, it is widely anticipated that the Astros will not exercise their $5 million team option for Weiss, choosing instead to pay a $500,000 buyout. This decision would leave Weiss without the guaranteed salary but still provide him with a financial cushion as he explores his next steps.
Weiss earned approximately 4.2 billion won in 2026, but his future in MLB appears bleak. The current labor negotiations between MLB and the players' union could lead to a work stoppage, potentially freezing the free-agent market. Should this happen, many free agents, particularly those with lower profiles, may look to leagues in Korea or Japan.
In this scenario, Weiss could find himself returning to Hanwha, where he previously excelled and where he would not face the salary cap restrictions imposed on new foreign players. His prior contributions to the team could allow him to negotiate a salary higher than the typical $1 million limit for foreign players in the KBO.
The upcoming months will be telling for Weiss as he navigates his uncertain future. With the MLB collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1, 2026, the outcome of these negotiations could have consequences for many players. If a work stoppage occurs, it could disrupt the free-agent market, pushing players like Weiss toward international options.
As Weiss considers his next move, he will weigh the potential benefits of returning to the KBO against the possibility of securing a minor league contract in the hopes of returning to the majors. His previous success in Korea could make him a valuable asset for Hanwha, who may be eager to bolster their pitching staff.
As the situation develops, Weiss's fans and former teammates will follow closely closely. Whether or not his wife's social media hints signal a return to Hanwha is uncertain, but the interest is certainly there. The future for Ryan Weiss is uncertain, but the possibility of a comeback in Korea could be on the horizon.