PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pirates shortstop Jung Ho Kang left Thursday’s game against the Chicago Cubs in the first inning with a significant left knee injury.
The 28-year-old rookie, the first position player to directly make the jump from the Korean Baseball Organization to the majors, was hurt when Chris Coghlan slid into him while unsuccessfully trying to break up a double play.
Kang was helped off the field by two members of the Pittsburgh training staff and taken to a hospital for an MRI. The team said results were not immediately available.
Following the Pirates’ 9-6 loss, Kang said in a statement released through agent Alan Nero that he did not consider it a dirty play by Coghlan.
“It is unfortunate that what would be considered heads up baseball would cause such a serious injury,” Kang said. “That said, Coghlan was playing the game the way it should be played. I’m confident he meant me no harm. I appreciate everyone’s support.”
Kang is hitting .287 with 15 home runs in 126 games for Pittsburgh, which leads the Cubs by two games in the chase for the top NL wild card.
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