No more injuries. He needs to come back healthy. Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Ji-Man Choi, 32, is ready to return.안전놀이터
Choi, who is rehabbing with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, Pittsburgh’s affiliate, went 2-for-5 with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored in a game against the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds at Victory Field in Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, on 5 May.
Choi launched a two-run shot over the right-centre field fence with one out in the bottom of the first inning. The shot travelled 442 feet (approximately 135 metres) for a big home run. In his second at-bat of the inning, Choi came up with runners on first and second to complete the multi-hit game with an infield single to second base. He was silent in his next three at-bats, striking out twice.
With the win, Choi is now 8-for-28 with three home runs, nine RBIs and a 1.243 OPS in eight minor league rehab games that began on the 23rd of last month. He was promoted to Triple-A after going 2-for-8 with a home run in three games at Double-A on 23 April, and he exploded for long balls at Triple-A.
Choi underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow at the end of last season and was traded from Tampa Bay to Pittsburgh, signalling a fresh start. However, he spent more time on the bench than in the starting lineup. He hit back-to-back home runs against Houston on 11-12 April, but was placed on the 60-day disabled list (IL) on 14 April with a strained left Achilles tendon. It’s been a season full of bad luck, and it’s about to get better.
His bat has already taken a hit. He needs to get back on track at first base, where his defence is an organ. Recently, manager Ben Sherrington said, “Considering he’s recovering in Triple-A, we want to make sure he gets back on track defensively while he’s in Triple-A. We’re going to use him at first base because we want to improve defensively. That’s not to say that our current first baseman, Carlos Santana, doesn’t play first base, but it’s just to have options for Choi. We want to make sure that he is in good shape both defensively and on the basepaths.”
Choi was the designated hitter on the day. In the fourth game, he started at first base. He’s been bouncing back and forth between first base and designated hitter. Because of his Achilles injury, his movements can be a bit sensitive. He’ll need to be able to move fully in the field to get a major league call-up.