Choi Ji-man (Pittsburgh Pirates) finally appeared in the exhibition game.
Choi Ji-man started as the designated hitter in the 2023 major league home demonstration game against the New York Yankees held at Rycom Park in Bradenton, Florida, on the 3rd (hereinafter Korean time). He went 0-for-3 with one strikeout. He played three at-bats and was substituted.
Choi Ji-man was traded to Pittsburgh in the 2022-2023 offseason. He underwent elbow surgery that plagued him last season ahead of his preliminary free agency season. He rehabilitated himself after cleaning his elbow while removing bone fragments. This is the reason for the delay in participating in the demonstration game. 세븐 토토
He was selected for the Korean WBC national team led by coach Lee Kang-cheol, but was not allowed to participate due to Pittsburgh’s dissuade. Now, it is important for Choi Ji-man to prepare for the regular season by managing his condition well. He appeared as the leading batter in the bottom of the second inning, trailing 0-3, and struck out on a swing by Wandy Peralta’s slider.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, trailing by 0-4, Choi Ji-man withdrew with a 96 mph sinker by Albert Abreu with a ground ball to the second baseman with no runners on second out. In the bottom of the 7th inning, trailing by 0-5, with no runners in the second out, James Norwood’s splitter turned the first baseman’s ground ball. In the bottom of the 9th inning, trailing 1-9, Malcolm Nunez changed to pinch hitter with 2 out, 1st and 2nd base.
Pittsburgh lost to the Yankees 1-9.