Pirates Announce Jung Ho Kang to Return to Organization

On Thursday afternoon the Pirates confirmed the news that infielder Jung Ho Kang will return to the Club and begin the process of working towards rejoining the team.

Following a lengthy time away, and after fulfilling obligations under the Treatment Program to which he agreed in January 2017, Jung Ho will report to Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida.

The first step to his return will include meeting with professionals here in the United States to continue his personal treatment program.

Here’s more news from the release:

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced today that infielder Jung Ho Kang has been granted a work visa by the United States government, has re-entered the United States and will rejoin the Pirates organization.

Kang, a 31-year old South Korean native, has been on the Major League Baseball restricted list since the beginning of the 2017 season after being denied re-entry into the United States following his conviction for driving under the influence of alcohol in Seoul, South Korea.

“After a lengthy process, we are pleased that Jung Ho has been allowed to re-enter to the United States,” said Pirates President, Frank Coonelly. “We are encouraged by the steps that Jung Ho has taken to date and are hopeful that having the game he loves taken away from him for more than a year has driven home the reality that he must make better life decisions as we move forward together. As we have communicated to him throughout this process, we will work to provide Jung Ho with the resources and support necessary for him to meet the high expectations that we have for him as a member of our organization and our community.”

He will remain on the restricted list while he works his way back into condition to participate in Major League games.

Which means we are one step closer to the return of The Kang Show at PNC Park.