Jung Ho Kang's comeback attempt will begin on the back fields at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla., on Monday, and he'll do so without facing any further discipline from the Pirates or Major League Baseball.
Neal Huntington, addressing reporters for the first time since the club announced Kang was granted a visa to enter the United States, said Friday afternoon at PNC Park that both the Pirates and the league thought Kang being on the restricted list since the start of the 2017 season was enough of a punishment.
Although he'll be given a fresh start, it's uncertain when or if he'll be able to contribute for the Pirates again.
"I think it’s more about being realistic," Huntington said. "Again, we certainly hope we get the Kang that was very helpful to us and was a very good player, but we also need to be realistic. He’s paid a heavy price. He’s been a year-plus away from the game. He’s been a year-plus of taking in any money. While we’re glad to have him back and we’re going to do everything we can to help him off the field to be able to help him on the field, there is a lot of work to be done."
Kang, 31, will continue to participate in MLB's strict treatment program after he rejoins the organization, although Huntington declined to divulge any conditions Kang must follow. The team's staff will put him through a series of conditioning drills once he reports to Pirate City before he begins what Huntington called "the equivalent of a major-league spring training."
After all, Kang has not not played in a game for the Pirates since Oct. 2, 2016. He crashed a BMW through a guard rail in Seoul, South Korea less than three months later. He was later convicted of driving under the influence, receiving an eight-month suspended sentence in March 2017, and he lost an appeal in May. Kang was not granted a visa — it was his third DUI in South Korea since 2009 — and was unable to play for the Pirates in 2017.
Kang's application for a visa was denied by the State Department prior to last season, and the Pirates placed him on the restricted list. To obtain a visa, Kang overcame permanent ineligibility status and received a waiver of inadmissibility, although Huntington told reporters he was unaware how Kang's status changed.
Kang has been working out in the Dominican Republic, taking ground balls, running, hitting off a pitching machine and during coach-pitch batting practice. But his last game action was in the Dominican Winter League, where he joined Aguilas Cibaenas, only to be released after 24 games when he batted .143/.219/.202 with only three extra-base hits, including one home run, and 31 strikeouts to eight walks.
In addition to preparing him return to the field, Huntington said the Pirates' focus is ensuring Kang follows his treatment program and makes better decisions off the field.
"Our focus is helping Jung Ho continue to take the right steps, continue to do the right things, continue to make the right decisions off the field to put himself in position to do other things," Huntington said. "That’s the priority. Once we get there and we’re at a comfort level there based on the approval of the waiver, based upon the things we’ve heard at this point in time, the next step's getting him back to where he can become a player again."
Kang released a statement through the team early Friday afternoon, expressing remorse for his actions and promising to "not disappoint anyone anymore." Francisco Cervelli expressed excitement about Kang's return to reporters following the Pirates' 1-0 win over the Tigers on Thursday, saying Kang would be embraced if he does return to the major leagues.
Huntington, though, acknowledged that Kang must regain trust from the organization, teammates and fans:
Clint Hurdle had yet to speak to Kang when he met with reporters Friday afternoon, although he planned to have a conversation with him once he "settled in" and will speak to Kang weekly beyond that. Hurdle said Kang's situation is far different than that of Starling Marte, who was suspended 80 games last season after testing positive for Nandrolone.
Marte remained a part of the team, while Kang, on the other hand, hasn't been in the clubhouse since the end of the 2016 season. Many of Kang's former teammates are now gone, including Andrew McCutchen. Also, Kang hasn't faced major-league pitching in 19 months.
"I’m excited to see what he can do with the opportunity," Hurdle said. "Life can present its own set of challenges from time to time. This is a hard game to play. He’s 14 months out of this game. He’s coming back. I’m going to take it one day at a time for him, watching him, and I will have a conversation once things slow down for him. I didn’t think it was appropriate to try to get him right now. Let him settle in a little bit."
It's unclear when or where Kang will be playing in games. He'll need to first play with a minor-league affiliate to see live pitching, although Huntington declined to discuss any potential destination. He did say it's likely Kang will play multiple positions and said any talk of Kang potentially taking someone's job on the current major-league roster is premature.
Colin Moran, acquired from the Astros in the Gerrit Cole trade, has started 19 games at third base for the Pirates and ranks second among National League rookies in batting average (.294) and is tied for third in RBIs (12). David Freese, signed by the team prior to 2016, has a .777 OPS platooning at third and first base.
"We’re a long ways away from him coming back to the major leagues and there is an 'if' part of that statement. ... Kang is going to have to do a lot of work," Huntington said. "If he takes care of what he needs to off the field and he gets back to that level, we’ll have an interesting decision to make, but we’re a long ways away from that. And again, I need to be very clear, we are comfortable with Colin Moran and David Freese as our options at third base right now."
Huntington confirmed Kang's contract status remains unchanged. He is scheduled to make $3 million guaranteed this season with a club option for 2019. They could option him to Triple-A for an extended period if his simulated spring training does not go as planned; however, Huntington made it clear the Pirates' goal is for Kang to help them win games in 2018.
"Our hope is we’re going to be able to get him back to where he can help us win at the major-league level in some form or fashion," Huntington said.