Jung Ho Kang's first season back in the United States may be over before it even really started. Kang, who was granted a visa in April after his third DUI conviction in South Korea prevented him from entering the country in 2017, is out four to six weeks after undergoing surgery on his left wrist.
Naver Sports, a Korean news outlet, reported early Friday morning that Kang was out for the season, but the Pirates released a statement saying that was not the case. Kang had surgery Friday in Pittsburgh to remove cartilage from his wrist, which will prevent him from returning until next month.
Kang played only nine games with Triple-A Indianapolis and seven with High-A Bradenton. He was expected to begin a rehab assignment with the latter Tuesday, but had reoccurring symptoms and was shut down. Now, it will be difficult for him to return to the majors this season and the Pirates will decide this offseason whether to pick up his team option for $5.5 million or pay a $250,000 buyout to cut ties with the 31-year-old third baseman.
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