Jung Ho Kang is nearing a return to the Pirates.
Kang, who has spent about seven months rehabilitating his left knee after serious surgery, will begin a rehab assignment with Class AAA Indianapolis Monday.
In September, Kang suffered a fractured lateral tibial plateau — the top of the one of the bones in his lower leg — and a damaged lateral meniscus in a collision with Chris Coghlan while trying to turn a double play. The Pirates have equated the damage to something seen in a car accident.
This spring, Kang has progressed slowly but steadily back to baseball activities.