Pirates option Bae Ji-hwan to minors 1 month after recall
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Bae Ji-hwan drives in a run on a fields choice against the Chicago Cubs during the third inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa., Aug. 27. Reuters-Yonhap
The Pittsburgh Pirates have sent their Korean utility player Bae Ji-hwan to Triple-A Indianapolis, about a month after recalling the 25-year-old.
The Pirates announced the move on Tuesday (U.S. local time). In addition to optioning Bae to the minors, they designated left-hander Brady Feigl for assignment, as they made room for two pitchers coming off the injured list (IL): Jared Jones and Carmen Mlodzinski.
Bae began the season in the minor leagues due to injury and made his big league season debut on May 21. But he soon suffered a right wrist sprain, which landed him on the IL on June 4.
Bae was activated from the IL on June 24 but was immediately optioned to Indianapolis.
The Pirates called Bae back up to the big leagues on July 26. Bae batted 1-for-8 in five games in July, and then 8-for-42 (.190) in 16 games this month before the trip back to the minors.
For the season, Bae has a .189/.247/.216 line with six RBIs and six steals in 29 games.
Bae spent most of last season at second base but has played more time in center field and right field this year. The Pirates recently announced their shortstop Oneil Cruz will move to center field, pushing Bae out of the mix. (Yonhap)