Jung Ho Kang visits Pirates teammates for first time since surgery

Published September 30, 2015

Pittsburgh Pirates' Jung Ho Kang, of South Korea, watches his solo home run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the ninth inning in a baseball game, Sunday, May 3, 2015, at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)

Before Monday's game, the Pittsburgh Pirates received a visit from a Jung Ho Kang, his first visit to the team since undergoing surgery on his knee.

Kang was in a wheelchair, recovering from a collision with Chicago Cubs' Chris Coghlan that ended in a torn MCL, accompanied by his parents

"He has a very difficult recovery ahead of him," said second baseman Neil Walker via MLB.com, "but he is already looking ahead."

As MLB.com notes, teammates described Kang as being "in very good spirits."

Manager Clint Hurdle said that he gave Kang a hug on behalf of his biggest fan - Hurdle's 10-year-old son.

"He gave me a hug and told me he would be back strong, better than before," Hurdle said. "It was great to see him, smiling and being encouraging."

The Korean infielder is likely out until mid-May, giving Walker a bit more playing time as the Pirates look to make a deep run into October.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/sports/jung-ho-kang-visits-pirates-teammates-for-first-time-since-surgery