With the Pittsburgh Pirates mired in a 10-game losing streak, “backup” Ji-Man Choi, 32, has shaken off an injury to make a comeback in the minor leagues카지노.
Choi started at second base and went 1-for-2 in the Pirates’ home game against the 2023 minor league Bowie Baysox (affiliated with the Baltimore Orioles) at People’s Natural Gas Field in Altoona, Pennsylvania, USA, on 23 March (local time).
Choi, who plays for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Double-A affiliate, the Altoona Curve, went long in his first at-bat. With the bases loaded and no outs in the first inning, Choi faced starter Peter Van Loon for a six-pitch count and hit a double to centre field. However, he was unable to score on the next pitch.
Trailing 1-3 in the third inning, with the bases loaded, he took advantage of Van Roon’s first pitch but flied out to right field.
Trailing 1-7, Choi was replaced by pinch-hitter Jacob Gonzalez in the top of the sixth inning and successfully completed his first game back from rehab.
Choi felt pain in his left Achilles tendon while running to first base after hitting a grounder against the St. Louis Cardinals on 14 April. The pain returned the next day in St. Louis and he was placed on the 16-day disabled list, where he was given an eight-week rehab assignment. In a fortunate turn of events, the injury was not deemed to require surgery, so he spent the next few weeks in a brace.
Fortunately, he didn’t feel any pain in his ankle after the rehab game. In an interview with MLB.com, the official website of Major League Baseball, Choi said, “I was nervous and worried because it had been a long time since I played. Fortunately, it was better than I thought. Overall, it was a pretty good game.”
After a breakout season, Pittsburgh has fallen into a 10-game losing streak and slipped to fourth place in the National League Central (34-40). They’ve gone from once leading the league to having to worry about catching last-place St. Louis. Moreover, Pittsburgh’s team home runs this season are just 69, which ranks 24th in the majors. That’s why the return of one-hit wonder Choi has never been more welcome.
Acquired in a trade prior to the 2023 season, Choi went 1-for-5 with two home runs and two RBIs in 32 at-bats in nine games before going on the DL. “Choi, who played in his first game back from rehab, could return as early as June,” CBS Sports reported.
