27-year-old Dutch right-hander Rick van den Hurk debuted in the Korea Baseball Organisation (KBO) today according to Honkbalsite.com. The former Major Leaguer, who signed with the Samsung Lions this winter, made his first start against the SK Wyverns and struck out nine in six innings of work. He allowed three runs on seven hits and threw 101 pitches in his outing. He left with the score tied at 3-3, leaving him with a no decision.
Van den Hurk signed with the reigning KBO champion this offseason, having not found a Major League contract. An elbow injury during training camp in Japan delayed his debut. Last week he pitched in a minor league game against the Kia Tigers.
Between 2007 and 2012 the Eindhoven native spent time with the Florida Marlins, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations. He pitched for the Marlins, Orioles and Pirates in Major League Baseball. He had a career ERA of 6.08 through 50 games in the big leagues and an ERA of 3.72 in 146 games in the Minors.