Kang’s status in limbo for Pirates
BRADENTON, Fla. – Not only is Jung Ho Kang’s status for opening day in jeopardy, his availability for the regular season is, as well, after a Korean news outlet reported Friday that the Pirates’ third baseman could have a DUI charge pending in another country.
Thursday, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said the application process for Kang’s work visa was “ongoing” and the third baseman was unlikely to be granted leave from his native South Korea in time for opening day.
Kang was charged with his third DUI in South Korea last December.
Things got even more cloudy Friday.
“A Korean news outlet has reported on a purported development in Jung Ho Kang’s effort to secure permission to travel to the United States for purposes of continuing his career as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates and added speculation regarding a driving incident in a ‘third country,'” Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement issued on Friday.
“The facts, as we know them, are that Kang still has not been granted permission to travel to the United States under a work visa. We continue to work with Kang and his representatives to present materials and information to the appropriate parties in the United States government that we believe establish that Kang should be permitted to travel to the United States under a work visa and we remain hopeful that such a resolution will be reached in the near future.
“We have no indication that Jung Ho has had a driving incident in a country other than Korea.”
Meanwhile, in game action Friday, infielder Phil Gosselin had a pair of hits as the Pirates defeated error-prone Tampa Bay, 4-0.
Trevor Williams pitched well for the Pirates, throwing five scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out four.
Tony Watson, Daniel Hudson, Felipe Rivero and Juan Nicasio finished off the four-hitter against the Rays, who made three errors, leading to two unearned runs.
Catcher Chris Stewart left the game in the seventh inning with a groin strain that occurred while he was running to first base. He is considered day-to-day.