Pirates' Kang granted visa, set for return
The Pittsburgh Pirates could soon receive an unexpected boost in the form of Korean infielder Jung Ho Kang.
Kang, 31, has been granted a work visa to re-enter the United States, the Pirates announced Thursday. He'll rejoin the organization in the coming days after missing the entire 2017 season following his third DUI arrest in South Korea in December of 2016.
Kang received an eight-month suspended prison sentence last year for the offense.
"After a lengthy process, we are pleased that Jung Ho has been allowed to re-enter to the United States," said Pirates president Frank Coonelly in a statement. "We are encouraged by the steps that Jung Ho has taken to date and are hopeful that having the game he loves taken away from him for more than a year has driven home the reality that he must make better life decisions as we move forward together. As we have communicated to him throughout this process, we will work to provide Jung Ho with the resources and support necessary for him to meet the high expectations that we have for him as a member of our organization and our community."
The Pirates say Kang will report to the team's facility in Bradenton, Fla., after fulfilling obligations laid out by the treatment program he agreed to in January of 2017. He'll remain on the restricted list while he gets in condition to make his return to the major leagues.
Kang hit. 273 with 36 home runs and 120 RBIs across two seasons with Pittsburgh from 2015-16. He was due $3 million this season, and the Pirates hold a $5.5 million club option for his services in 2019.
--Field Level Media
