(Seoul = Yonhap News) Correspondent Han Nam-jik = Choi Ji-man (Pittsburgh Pirates) was silent in two consecutive games in the major league demonstration game.
Choi Ji-man started as the designated hitter in the 2023 메이저놀이터 American Professional Baseball Major League demonstration game against the Baltimore Orioles held at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota, Florida, on the 9th (Korean time), and only had no hits in 3 at-bats.
On this day, Choi Ji-man withdrew with a fly ball to the third baseman in the 1st and 4th innings, and returned with a foul fly to the left fielder in the 6th inning.
Choi Ji-man’s batting average in the demonstration game fell from 0.125 to 0.091 (1 hit in 11 at-bats).
After the end of the 2022 season, Choi Ji-man left the Tampa Bay Rays in a trade and wore a’Pirates’ uniform.
Choi Ji-man, who returned to Korea immediately after the trade, underwent surgery to remove a bone fragment in his right elbow, and Pittsburgh took special care of Choi by presenting a customized schedule.
Choi Ji-man could not participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) because Pittsburgh was concerned about a recurrence of the injury.
Choi Ji-man, who participated in the demonstration game five days later than other players, went 0-for-3 against the Yankees on the 3rd, and reported his first hit and RBI this year with 1 hit and 2 RBIs against the Philadelphia Phillies on the 5th.
Afterwards, he went hitless in two consecutive games, causing his exhibition game batting average to plummet.
On this day, Pittsburgh lost to Baltimore 4-7. Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh) was sidelined.
