According to sources, the Pittsburgh Pirates are expecting to play without 3B Jung Ho Kang in 2017
Earlier today, Korean reports – first reported by Sung Min Kim out of Korea – revealed that Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang was denied a work visa to re-enter the United States.
https://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/84525058761253683
https://twitter.com/sung_minkim/status/845250587612536832
Additionally, sources tell PBD that the Pittsburgh Pirates do not expect Jung Ho Kang to be available at all in 2017. How the team will shuffle it’s 25 or 40-man rosters after this news is still unknown at this time.
UPDATE – Kim adds that a report out of Korea states that Kang may be suspected of another DUI that did not occur in the United States or South Korea.
What, Now?
Jung Ho Kang’s absence is well-prepared for. The Pirates have several contingency plans in place, and with Kang already on the Restricted List, they won’t have to make any major moves. David Freese will presumably see the bulk of the playing time at third, with Josh Harrison, Adam Frazier and now John Jaso able to fill innings as well.
Kang was set to serve as one of the major power threats in the team’s everyday lineup. Though the team has other hitters that can approach 25 home run power – such as Gregory Polanco and Andrew McCutchen – Kang’s presence as a run producer will be felt.
PBD will update this story as it develops.
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