Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang has been denied a work visa, leaving the South Korean unable to enter the United States and his status for the 2017 season in doubt.According to a Korean media news report Friday, the U.S. Embassy rejected Kang's visa application.Kang was convicted in South Korea earlier this month after leaving the scene of a DUI accident on Dec. 2 in Seoul. He received a suspended eight-month jail sentence and recently filed an appeal, which will reportedly be heard in early April. It was Kang's third drunk-driving arrest in his home country after previously being charged in August 2009 and May 2011.Kang is also suspected of a drunk-driving offense in a country other than Korea or the U.S., according to the Korean news outlet.Pirates team president Frank Coonelly responded to the report with a statement Friday."A Korean news outlet has reported on a purported development in Jung Ho Kang's effort to secure permission to travel to the United States for purposes... [More]

DETROIT -- Danny Duffy won his ninth straight decision with the aid of four solo home runs, including the first of Raul Mondesi's career, as the Kansas City Royals defeated the Detroit Tigers 6-1 on Tuesday at Comerica Park.Duffy (10-1) limited the Tigers to one run on three hits while striking out five in 7 2/3 innings. He has the longest winning streak by a Royals pitcher since Jeremy Guthrie won 10 straight decisions in 2012-13.The breakthrough homer for the 21-year-old Mondesi came in his 19th game and 60th official at-bat.Alex Gordon, Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales also homered for Kansas City, which has won eight of 10. Gordon, who scored twice, stretched his hitting streak to seven gamesTigers starter Justin Verlander (12-7) allowed five runs -- three earned -- on four hits while striking out six in seven-plus innings.Blue Jays 12, Yankees 6NEW YORK -- Edwin Encarnacion and Russell Martin hit two-run homers in the eighth inning as Toronto rallied from a six-run deficit for a victory... [More]

The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled infielder Jung Ho Kang from his Triple-A rehab assignment and reinstated him from the 15-day disabled list, the team announced Friday.Kang, who finished third in the 2015 National League rookie of the year voting, has yet to play for the Pirates this season. He is recovering from left knee surgery that was performed on Sept. 17.Kang, 29, began his rehab assignment on April 18 and went 6-for-40 (.150) with four walks, a home run, five RBIs and three runs scored in 13 games.Last season, Kang hit .287 with 15 homers in 126 games while playing third base for Pittsburgh.To make room on the active roster for Kang, infielder Jason Rogers was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis

PITTSBURGH -- The 20-day limit on Jung Ho Kang's rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis ends Saturday as the third baseman is in the final stages of his recovery from reconstructive left knee surgery performed last September.Veteran David Freese, signed to a one-year, $3 million contract as a free agent in March, has filled in admirably at third base in Kang's absence. Freese is hitting .291 with one home run in 28 games after going 2-for-3 Wednesday as the Pirates lost 6-2 to the Chicago Cubs to get swept in a three-game series.While Kang will be eased into action after being activated from the disabled list, Freese will see a reduction in playing time. However, that doesn't mean Freese will be glued to the bench."We're going to have to create some game opportunities for David," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said.Many of those opportunities figure to come by spelling first baseman John Jaso against left-handed starting pitchers.However, it is possible that Freese could get an occasional... [More]

The Pittsburgh Pirates went 98-64 during the regular season last year, the second-best record in the major leagues, yet enter spring training with much lessened expectations.The Pirates are generally picked to finish third in the National League Central behind the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals.The Cubs ended Pittsburgh's 2015 season in the winner-take-all wild-card game and went on an offseason shopping spree that included raiding the three-time defending division champion Cardinals of outfielder Jason Heyward and right-hander John Lackey in free agency.Meanwhile, on Friday, the Pirates pitchers and catchers will begin spring training workouts at Bradenton, Fla., following a winter more notable for who was lost than gained.Second baseman Neil Walker was traded to the New York Mets for left-hander Jon Niese. First baseman Pedro Alvarez was not tendered a contract, making him a free agent. Right-hander A.J. Burnett and third baseman Aramis Ramirez retired. Left-hander J.A. Happ left... [More]

Kang (knee) was placed on the 60-day disabled list Monday.

Kang was already set to miss the remainder of the season, so the move was just procedural in nature. The Pirates selected the contract of Keon Broxton in a corresponding move.

Kang underwent surgery for a displaced lateral tibial plateau fracture and a lateral meniscal repair and will miss the remainder of the season.

His slated timetable of six-to-eight months could also place him in danger of missing spring training and potentially the beginning of the regular season as well. It's an unfortunate break for the Pirates and Kang, and they will now likely turn to Aramis Ramirez at third base, Jordy Mercer at shortstop and Pedro Alvarez at first base for the everyday alignment the rest of the way.

Kang (knee) will undergo knee surgery Thursday night and will likely miss the remainder of the season, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

Kang's injury is a huge loss for the Pirates, as he earned himself an everyday role through his offensive production at the plate this season (.287/.355/.461 batting line with 15 home runs in 125 games). In his absence, the Pirates will likely go with an everyday alignment of Aramis Ramirez at third base, Jordy Mercer at shortstop and Pedro Alvarez at first.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung-Ho Kang will undergo knee surgery Thursday and is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung-Ho Kang will undergo knee surgery Thursday and is expected to miss the rest of the season, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Kang suffered a torn MCL and a broken fibula on Thursday when Chris Coghlan of the Chicago Cubs slid into him while trying to break up a double play. "It is unfortunate that what would be considered heads-up baseball would cause such a serious injury," Kang said in in a statement through his agent, Alan Nero. "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 had earned an everyday role because of his offensive production this season. The light-hitting Jordy Mercer likely will replace him at short as Aramis Ramirez and Pedro Alvarez have been playing the corner infield spots.

Kang left Thursday's game after being taken out by a hard slide at second base.

His left leg was planted when Chris Coghlan slid into it trying to break up a double-play and Kang needed to be helped off the field. The injury appears to be fairly serious, and given the Pirates' infield depth it would not be surprising if Kang missed most, if not all of final games of the regular season. He was replaced at shortstop by Jordy Mercer.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung-Ho Kang left Thursday's game with a knee injury.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Jung-Ho Kang left Thursday's game with a knee injury. The Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan slid into Kang's knee while attempting to break up a double play, and the Korean rookie could not put any weight on his left leg as he was helped off the field, putting his availability for the remainder of the regular season in doubt.

Kang is not in the lineup for Game 2 of Tuesday's doubleheader with the Cubs.

Kang singled in Game 1 to extend his hitting streak to seven games, but will turn third base back over to Aramis Ramirez in the nightcap. Andrew McCutchen is the Pirates' only holdover from the first game of the twin bill.

Kang is not in the lineup for Saturday's game against the Brewers.

Kang tallied seven hits over his last five games, but manager Clint Hurdle felt it was time to give him a day off. Kang owns a .911 OPS in September, so as long as he is healthy, he figures to be back in the lineup Sunday.

Kang went 1-for-4 on Wednesday, with his sixth-inning grand slam breaking a 1-1 tie and providing all the cushion the Pirates would need in a 5-4 win over the Reds.

The Korean import has homered in consecutive games now, and he continues to prove that he belongs in the majors. Kang's been particularly outstanding since the All-Star break, as he's now hitting .312 with 11 homers in 47 second-half games. Bigger things could be in store next year, with a season of MLB experience behind him.

Kang crushed a 77-mph off-speed offering for a mammoth 472-foot dinger Wednesday, giving him 14 homers and 52 RBI.

The Pirates rearranged their lineup to include Kang's bat, moving 37-year-old Aramis Ramirez from third base to first base for the first time in his career. Kang is slashing .288/.358/.463 in 438 plate appearances, surpassing even the most promising of preseason predictions.

Kang is out of the lineup Sunday against the Cardinals.

Kang continues to see starts between shortstop and third base but will take his turn off Sunday. Jordy Mercer will start at shortstop and Aramis Ramirez will start at third, but expect Kang will likely return to the lineup Monday.

Kang will bat cleanup and get the nod at third base Friday against the Cardinals.

He has three hits in nine career at-bats against starter Carlos Martinez. Kang is looking to add to a rookie season which has already included 13 homers, 50 RBI and an .822 OPS.

Kang went 1-for-2 with an RBI single Thursday in Milwaukee.

He entered the game as a pinch-hitter after not starting for the fourth time in nine games. With opponents throwing six righthanders against Pittsburgh in the next seven days, look for Kang to see plenty of action. He's batting .333 versus four of the upcoming mound opponents.

Kang is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Brewers.

The Pirates have sat Kang four times in the last week and a half but in the first three game it was against a southpaw. The Korean previously went 2-for-3 against Thursday's starting pitcher Taylor Jungmann and holds a .298/.364/.478 season line versus righthanders. The return of Josh Harrison and Jordy Mercer has impacted Kang's playing time more than expected -- unless he's nursing an injury.

Kang went 2-for-4 with his 13th homer Tuesday in Milwaukee.

Kang lifted the inside pitch just over the left field wall for his ninth-inning dinger. With a pair of righties on the mound Wednesday and Thursday, the first-year infielder figures to start the next couple games. He failed to start three of Pittsburgh's last six games with the Bucs facing southpaws.