It is this difficult to settle as a major leaguer. Baek Ji-hwan of the Pittsburgh Pirates will return to the minor leagues after just one week.
The Pittsburgh Pirates announced on the 17th (Korea Standard Time) that they will send Baek Ji-hwan down to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians as an option, while calling up outfielder Nick Solak from Triple-A. This means Baek Ji-hwan will once again go down to the minor leagues after just one week.
Baek Ji-hwan survived the fierce survival competition with a strong performance during spring training this season. He reveled in the joy of being included in the opening day roster of the major leagues. However, he failed to prove his value properly, making a base running error, and was dropped back to the minor leagues after just two games.
He was re-called up to the big leagues on the 10th. At that time, manager Derek Shelton was dismissed after failing to emerge from a seven-game losing streak, and bench coach Don Kelly took over as the new leader.
Baek Ji-hwan was immediately called up to the major leagues the day after the manager's dismissal. A turnaround in the mood was needed for the team and for himself. However, Baek Ji-hwan played in only five games after being called up to the major leagues. In the three games after his call-up, he appeared as a pinch hitter, and in the last two games, he made his starting appearances.
However, on the 15th, in a game against the New York Mets, he barely managed to get his first hit of the season with a bunt single, but overall he failed to showcase his skills.
This season, Baek Ji-hwan's stats include a batting average of .091 in seven games (1 hit in 11 at-bats). He has recorded 1 walk, 5 strikeouts, and 2 stolen bases. Ultimately, Baek Ji-hwan finds himself in a position where he must wait indefinitely for another call-up to the big leagues after returning to the minor leagues.
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