When Jung Ho Kang was a late scratch from Triple-A Indianapolis' lineup Wednesday afternoon, the team's Twitter account announced the change with two wide-eyed emojis, leading some to speculate Kang was on his way to Pittsburgh.
The speculation has come to an end, though. Kang was scratched because of "left wrist discomfort" and is considered day-to-day, according to Todd Tomczyk, the Pirates' director of sports medicine. Kang reported the injury to Indianapolis' training staff upon arriving at Victory Field prior to first pitch, although Kang didn't say how the injury occurred.
"He did not identify one particular mechanism of injury," Tomczyk said.
Kang has appeared in seven games for Indianapolis and went 3 for 4 with three RBIs in a win over Norfolk Tuesday night. He also made this impressive defensive play at third base:
Kang on the line? Kang on the line! #RingIt #RollTribe pic.twitter.com/34ePHcNYN3
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 20, 2018
But he has not been hit by a pitch and did not appear to injure the wrist during a game. Kang was examined by a physician, who determined the injury to be day-to-day.
Kang, 31, has slashed .269/.333/.308 in 26 at-bats, although he has six hits in his last 11 at-bats. Kang appeared in seven games with High-A Bradenton prior to that and told reporters at LECOM Park earlier this month he was no longer drinking alcohol. He was unable to re-enter the country following his third DUI conviction in South Korea in December 2016 and was unable to get a work visa until this past April.
Despite the results, it would not have been surprising had Kang actually been recalled. After all, Neal Huntington told reporters Sunday the Pirates would use several factors to determine Kang's readiness. That's what made Indianapolis' tweet so intriguing:
?Lineup changes?
Jung Ho Kang removed from the starting lineup. ?
New lineup:
Newman 6
Frazier 4
Bostick 8
Luplow 9
Kramer 5
Moroff 7
Lavarnway 2
Mathisen 3
Reyes DH pic.twitter.com/y8NQiWVNb0
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 20, 2018
The Pirates' only backup shortstop, Sean Rodriguez, is batting .159 with 40 strikeouts in 107 at-bats. Also, Adam Frazier, recalled Wednesday with Corey Dickerson placed on the family medical emergency list, had six hits in 30 at-bats with Indianapolis.
Now, it's uncertain when Kang will be on the field again for Indianapolis, and Frazier has the opportunity to secure a spot on the 25-man roster.
