Kang returns inpressively
Jung Ho Kang returned with a bang.
Kang hit two home runs Friday night to power the Pirates to a 4-2 victory over the Cardinals at St. Louis after being activated from the disabled list prior to the game.
It was an impressive return from a knee injury sustained last September that was so bad it required reconstructive surgery and a rehab that lasted nearly eight months.
Kang’s strong return, though, leads the question of what will become of David Freese?
Freese filled in admirably at third base in Kang’s absence after being signed to a one-year, $3-million contract during spring training as a free agent, hitting .291 with one home run in 28 games. While Freese’s playing time will be reduced, Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said he won’t be glued to the bench.
“We’re going to have to create some game opportunities for David,” Hurdle said.
Some of those opportunities figure to come by spelling first baseman John Jaso against left-handed starting pitchers.
However, it might not be out of the question that Freese could get an occasional start at second base. He played the position for the first time in his eight-year career Tuesday night, shifting from third base for the final four innings of a 7-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park.
“I do think that’s important that he could go at another spot,” Hurdle said.
Hurdle said he asked Freese a few weeks back if he had ever played second base and “never got an answer back on that. And I found out, he’s never done it, other than take balls in (batting practice).”
Hurdle laughed as he relayed the story and also when it came to grading Freese’s defense at second base.
“He didn’t get a ball hit to him,” Hurdle said. “He’s perfect so far.”
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Outfielder Matt Joyce came into the weekend having already hit three pinch-hit home runs in 21 plate appearances this season. The franchise single-season record is seven by Craig Wilson in 2001.
Joyce spent the first eight seasons of his career in the American League before signing as a free agent in February. He had only one homer in 121 pinch-hit appearances in the AL.
“I don’t have an answer,” Joyce said of his success. “Pinch-hitting is a whole different animal. It’s hard to come off the bench and try to get a hit.”
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The Pirates had a run differential of plus-19 in April, scoring 128 and allowing 119 while compiling a 15-9 record.
The differential was fifth in the National League and ninth in the major leagues. The Chicago Cubs led the majors with plus-79.