Lions cut MacKinnon, set to acquire new outfielder

The Samsung Lions announced Tuesday they will release infielder David MacKinnon and replace him with an outfielder. An official with the Lions said the club will ask the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to place MacKinnon on waivers. The Lions are closing in on a deal with a right-handed outfielder and should be able to finalize the contract shortly, the official added. MacKinnon signed with the Lions in December at US$1 million, the maximum amount for first-year foreign players in the KBO. In 72 games, the American infielder batted .294/.381/.386 with four home runs and 36 RBIs. The Lions had hoped for more power from their lone foreign hitter. MacKinnon's last home run came on May 18. In 18 games in June, he batted only .209, and then went 3-for-10 in three games this month before the All-Star break. MacKinnon represented the Lions at the All-Star Game on Saturday and even hit a home run, but the team decided to part ways with him before the start of the second half. Source: Yonhap News Agency