Pittsburgh Pirates star infielder Jung Ho Kang left the field during Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies with a hand injury suffered in the sixth inning. He’s considered day-to-day, per Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, but it is uncertain when he will return to the field.
Continue for updates.
Kang Out vs. Rockies
Monday, May 23
The Pirates announced that Kang will not play against Colorado on Monday.
Hurdle Comments on Kang’s Injury
Sunday, May 22
Pirates manager Clint Hurdle told reporters it is unclear when Kang will be available and that he will need to run through some tests, per Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “Put the bat in his hands, that was the complicated part for him yesterday was swinging the bat,” Hurdle added, per Brink.
Kang Struggling to Shake Injury Bug
Kang was in the midst of a fine rookie MLB season last year before suffering a torn MCL and fractured left leg when he took a hard slide from then-Chicago Cubs outfielder Chris Coghlan in September. The 29-year-old had a WAR of 4.0 last season, registering a slash line of .287/.355/.461, per ESPN.com.
The Pirates did well to bolster infield depth by acquiring David Freese in free agency. The 2011 World Series MVP gives Pittsburgh flexibility and fills the spot at the hot corner, where Kang played in his maiden MLB campaign.
Freese can fill in at third while Jordy Mercer occupies shortstop. Mercer isn’t the caliber of hitter that Kang is, so the others in the lineup will have to step up while Kang recovers.
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