In a somewhat surprising move, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced Thursday that infielder Jung Ho Kang is expected to join the team for their season-ending series Friday through Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park.
The 31-year-old Kang has not played in the majors since October of 2016. The Pirates likely are looking to determine whether to exercise Kang's $5.5 million option for next season after he's had a variety of injury-related and legal problems.
Kang hit .273 with 36 homers and 120 RBIs over parts of two MLB seasons (2015-16) but didn't play between September of 2016 and June of 2018 because of visa issues related to three DUI arrests in his native South Korea.