South Korean utility man Bae Ji-hwan has been recalled to the majors by the Pittsburgh Pirates, after spending the early portion of the season in the minors. Bae was brought up from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of the Pirates' home game against the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Tuesday (local time). Bae was inserted into the starting lineup for his 2024 season debut, batting ninth and playing center field. Bae was placed on the 10-day injured list (IL) on March 28, retroactive to March 25, due to a strain of his left hip muscle. He was sent to Single-A Bradenton and then to Indianapolis on a rehab assignment before the Pirates activated him from the IL on April 14. Bae remained with the Triple-A club and swung a hot bat, to the tune of a .376 batting average and a 1.048 on-base plus slugging (OPS) in 27 games, along with four home runs, 15 RBIs and seven steals. During spring training, Bae was considered a strong candidate to win the second base job for the Pirates. While in the minors , Bae logged time at second base, center field and left field. The 24-year-old made his big league debut with the Pirates in 2022. Last year, he appeared in 111 games and put up a .231/.296/.311 line with two homers, 32 RBIs and 24 steals. Defensively, Bae spent time at second base, shortstop and center field. Bae is now one of two active South Koreans in the majors, as he joins Kim Ha-seong of the San Diego Padres. Source: Yonhap News Agency
