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Pirates’ Kang Jung-ho leaves game early with knee injury

September 17, 2015

Pittsburgh Pirates’ shortstop Jung Ho Kang holds his left knee after injuring it while turning a double play on Chicago Cubs’ Chris Coghlan (8) in the first inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015. Kang left the game. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

By Brian Han

Pittsburgh Pirates’ shortstop Kang Jung-ho left Thursday’s game early with an apparent knee injury in the top of the first inning.

Chicago Cubs’ outfielder Chris Coghlan slid into second base in an unsuccessful attempt to break up a 4-6-3 double play. In doing so, he lifted his right leg and collided directly with the shortstop’s left knee. Kang’s leg was planted when it took the impact.

Pirates staff eventually confirmed that he did sustain an injury that is being treated, but did not disclose any details on the extent of the damage according to a tweet by ESPN correspondent Jesse Rogers.

The South Korean immediately went to the ground and began writhing in pain. Unable to walk on his own, he was helped off the field by the team’s trainers.

The loss could very well turn out to be significant as the Pirates may be losing one of the hottest bats in their lineup. Since the All-Star break Kang is leading the team with a .310 batting average, .548 slugging percentage and 11 home runs.

The 28-year-old rookie is putting up an impressive debut season, hitting .287 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs.

Luckily the Pirates have a bit of depth in the middle infield with Jordy Mercer and Neil Walker. They will be going on the road to play a three-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Friday

Kang expressed at the beginning of the season that he is most excited about visiting Los Angeles, which is home to the largest Korean population in the U.S.