(Yonhap Interview) Bears ace Logue not feeling added pressure despite rotation woes | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Bears. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) The Opening Day assignment eluded Logue again this year, as Chris Flexen, who previously pitched for the club in 2020 and returned for his second stint, received the nod. So I believe that we'll end up pitching well this year." Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Bears. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) Logue said feeling more comfortable on and off the field, now that he's in for his second rodeo in the KBO, has also helped. "I think the approaches of a lot of KBO hitters are a little bit different than what we see in the States. Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue poses for a photo after an interview with Yonhap News Agency at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 8, 2026. (Yonhap) It has been more than just luck that has allowed Logue to hit the ground running in his second season here. So just attack guys with his stuff, and he'll figure out the things that work for him." Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Bears. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KBO #baseball Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

## Article Content
Facebook
X
More
Pinterest
Linked in
Tumblr
Reddit
Facebook Messenger
Copy URL
URL is copied.
OK
By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Back for his second straight season in South Korea, Doosan Bears ace Zach Logue may once again be asked to do the heavy lifting at the front of the rotation.
The left-hander is taking it all in stride, though, with full conviction in his own abilities and also those of his teammates.
In 2025, Logue was the only Bears pitcher to win at least 10 games and was also the only qualified pitcher with a sub-3.00 ERA, as he ranked fifth in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) with 2.81. The American pitcher also ranked among the league leaders with 176 innings pitched (fifth) and 156 strikeouts (seventh).
Logue didn't begin that season as his team's No. 1 starter, with Cole Irvin, fellow first-year import, getting the honor. Amid Irvin's inconsistent season, Logue ended up as the Bears' top starter.
Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Bears. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
The Opening Day assignment eluded Logue again this year, as Chris Flexen, who previously pitched for the club in 2020 and returned for his second stint, received the nod. Flexen lost his season debut March 28 when he allowed three runs on two hits and five walks in four innings. The right-hander then hit the sidelines with a shoulder injury after lasting just one inning in his second outing last Friday. He will be reevaluated in four weeks.
Other starting pitchers have had issues too. Right-hander Gwak Been, the Bears' top Korean-born starter, has been roughed up to the tune of 10 runs on 12 hits in only 8 2/3 innings. Left-hander Choi Seung-yong has allowed seven runs in eight innings across his first two starts of the season.
Logue has done his part to keep the rotation afloat. He limited the Samsung Lions to two runs on four hits in seven innings on March 31 and then fired six shutout innings for his first win of the season Sunday against the Hanwha Eagles.
Logue said Flexen's injury and struggles of his rotation mates have not necessarily added pressure on him.
"I try not to think of it that way," he said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on Wednesday. "Obviously, Chris getting hurt was definitely a blow to the team and the rotation. But I just try to go out there and give us a chance to win every time, trying not to think of it like it's all on my shoulders. I think we still have a good team. We've got other good arms in the rotation and the bullpen. So I believe that we'll end up pitching well this year."
Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Bears. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)
Logue said feeling more comfortable on and off the field, now that he's in for his second rodeo in the KBO, has also helped.
"I think the approaches of a lot of KBO hitters are a little bit different than what we see in the States. So some of what works for me in the States may not work as well for me over here, and vice versa," he said. "Having a full year and seeing what works for me is definitely big and helps me make that transition a little bit easier early in the year."
Logue said he has figured out ways to best handle pesky KBO hitters.
"It's impressive how well they foul off pitches with two strikes. It is tough to put those guys away," he said. "I think you've just got to challenge those guys and don't try to be too cute with them. Just try to attack them, and hopefully, they'll put it in play early and kind of see what happens. I think just challenging hitters is the best way to go overall.
"Two good starts so far. Just tried to go deep in the game and give us a chance to win as much as I can. Lucky I've been able to do that," Logue added.
Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue poses for a photo after an interview with Yonhap News Agency at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 8, 2026. (Yonhap)
It has been more than just luck that has allowed Logue to hit the ground running in his second season here.
With 10 teams in the KBO, starting pitchers are bound to face some teams a handful of times in a season. Logue, for instance, went up against the Hanwha Eagles six times in his 29 starts in 2025. When he started against the Eagles on the weekend, Logue made sure to change the way he attacked their hitters.
In his first two starts, Logue has thrown fewer two-seam fastballs and changeups than a year ago while increasing his usage of four-seam fastballs, cutters and sliders.
Logue said veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji, widely considered among the KBO's greatest game callers, has played a crucial part in his success.
"I'm lucky to have Eui-ji beh

---

## Expert Analysis

### Merits
- Logue said veteran catcher Yang Eui-ji, widely considered among the KBO's greatest game callers, has played a crucial part in his success. "I'm lucky to have Eui-ji behind the plate.

### Areas for Consideration
- It is tough to put those guys away," he said. "I think you've just got to challenge those guys and don't try to be too cute with them.
- So just attack guys with his stuff, and he'll figure out the things that work for him." Doosan Bears starter Zach Logue pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on April 5, 2026, in this photo provided by the Bears. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap) jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KBO #baseball Articles with issue keywords Most Liked (LEAD) BTS tops Billboard albums chart for 2nd week with 'Arirang,' a first in K-pop BTS to drop 'Come Over,' exclusive new track on 'Arirang' LP 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho BTS tops Spotify weekly charts for 2nd week with new album 'Arirang' Lee voices hope for peace in Easter message Most Saved 'Beef' Season 2 deepens Korean narrative, casts A-listers Youn Yuh-jung, Song Kang-ho (3rd LD) Lee says S.

### Implications
- OK By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, April 9 (Yonhap) -- Back for his second straight season in South Korea, Doosan Bears ace Zach Logue may once again be asked to do the heavy lifting at the front of the rotation.
- He will be reevaluated in four weeks.
- So some of what works for me in the States may not work as well for me over here, and vice versa," he said. "Having a full year and seeing what works for me is definitely big and helps me make that transition a little bit easier early in the year." Logue said he has figured out ways to best handle pesky KBO hitters. "It's impressive how well they foul off pitches with two strikes.
- When he started against the Eagles on the weekend, Logue made sure to change the way he attacked their hitters.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers logue, bears, season topics. Notable strengths include discussion of logue. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 1426.