After an absence of nearly two full calendar years, Jung Ho Kang is set to return to the Major Leagues. Yesterday, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced that the slugging infielder will join the team in Cincinnati this weekend.
Kang’s return comes after spending all of 2017 on the restricted list due to DUI charges in his native South Korea. After beginning the 2018 season still on the restricted list, Kang was reinstated in April.
Upon his reinstatement, Kang began to play for minor league affiliates of the Pirates. Kang appeared to be on the brink of returning to the MLB level this summer before a wrist injury that required surgery sidetracked him.