1 of 3 | Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang (27) fields a grounder from New York Mets Asdrubal Cabrera in the first inning against the New York Mets at PNC Park on June 7, 2016 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Pirates went on to win 3-1 in the first game of a double header. Photo by Archie Carpenter/UPI |
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Feb. 4 (UPI) -- Following another arrest for drunk driving, Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang is seeking help.
Kang's agent, Alan Nero, told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his client has agreed to participate in the program that was recommended to him by the joint MLB panel who evaluated him after his December arrest. He has been arrested for DUI three times since 2009 in South Korea. He was charged with fleeing the scene during the Dec. 2 incident.
"We have been made aware of the very serious charges filed against Jung Ho Kang early Friday morning in Seoul, South Korea," Pirates president Frank Coonelly said in a statement released by the team in December. "We are extremely disappointed in Jung Ho and in his decision process during this matter. I know first-hand how foolish and dangerous it is to drive under the influence and am most thankful that, as we understand it, no one was injured."
"We will have further comment once we have been able to gather all of the relevant facts and speak with the player."
Kang's blood-alcohol content at the time was reported at .084.
The 29-year-old right-handed hitter was taken off South Korea's World Baseball Classic roster following the incident.
"As we all know, Kang has had some issues," South Korea manager Kim In-sik said at a press conference. "So our coaching staff made this call [to drop him]."
Last month, Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said that he thought the third baseman would be ready for spring training in Bradenton, Fla.
"Still working through the process," Huntington told the Post-Gazette. "The expectation is that [Kang] will arrive and be ready to go. But until that happens, there's always a chance that we could hit a snag."
Kang has not yet been punished by Major League Baseball or the Pirates.
The Pirates' first full-squad workout is set for Feb. 17. Kang was also named in a sexual assault investigation in June by the Chicago Police Department. He has not been charged in that case. Chicago police were unable to reach the woman who claimed she was assaulted by Kang, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Kang hit .255 last season with 21 home runs and 62 RBI in 103 games for the Pirates. He owns a .273 batting average and has 36 home runs in two seasons with the team. He is due $2.85 million this season and $3 million in 2018. Kang has a club option in 2019 for $5.5 million, with a $250,000 buyout.