The Pirates placed Jung Ho Kang on the restricted list:
Players on the restricted list don’t count toward a team’s 25- or 40-man roster limit, and may or may not be paid.
Kang, who has three DUIs since 2009, agreed last month to enter an alcohol treatment program. The 29-year-old player hit 21 home runs in 103 games last season, slashing .255/.354/.513.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more, suggesting that it has to do with uncertainty about Kang’s visa:
“It is neither a statement of pessimism nor optimism that Jung Ho will get back in time to report to Bradenton and prepare to be ready for opening day,” Coonelly said Saturday. “It says nothing on that topic. It just is a reflection of the reality that he is not here today, on March 11.”
…
Coonelly said he spoke with Kang’s representatives on Friday. He stressed the move is not a disciplinary measure — it simply frees up roster room. Coonelly also said the Pirates intend to wait until meeting with Kang in person before determined whether to levy additional punishment.
I suspect Kang is lucky he is not in jail, and I can understand why the US might think twice about issuing him a visa.
from baseballmusings.com http://ift.tt/2mUgzB9
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