SAN DIEGO — Major League Baseball will not rush to judgment regarding the sexual-assault allegations against Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang, league commissioner Rob Manfred said Tuesday. The league intends to allow law enforcement to further investigate and gather information before determining whether, or in what fashion, to punish Kang.
“We are aware of the situation and are working with law enforcement,” Manfred told the Baseball Writers Association of America membership Tuesday before the All-Star Game at Petco Park. “We will make a decision when we have sufficient facts as to whether application of, for example, the administrative leave provisions in the new policy are applicable.”
Chicago police confirmed last week they were investigating allegations that Kang sexually assaulted a 23-year-old woman in his hotel room on the team’s trip to Chicago in June. The woman alleged Kang gave her an alcoholic drink that caused her to lose consciousness.
No criminal charges have been filed. Chicago police have described Kang as a “potential suspect.”
Kang has played five games for the Pirates since the accusation was publicly reported July 5.
“There is a certain amount of work that has to be done by law enforcement — and can only be done by law enforcement — before we can wade into those waters,” Manfred said.
In the fall, MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association announced a joint agreement that would allow the commissioner’s office to investigate and punish players in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault or child abuse whether or not they are criminally charged.
Jose Reyes, Aroldis Chapman, Hector Olivera and Yasiel Puig have since been investigated by the league under the domestic violence portion of the policy. Three of the four were suspended. Kang represents the first known instance of alleged sexual assault since the policy was adopted.
Manfred credited the MLBPA and union chief Tony Clark for working quickly last year to develop the policy.
“I think it’s a policy that should make this sport proud,” Manfred said. “I commend Tony and his people for having the leadership and foresight to help us get in front of this issue, to get a policy in place that allows us to issue discipline when discipline is necessary, while protecting the rights of players.”
Losing Lodolo
Left-hander Nick Lodolo, whom the Pirates selected with the 41st pick in the 2016 amateur draft, appears intent on honoring his commitment to TCU rather than signing with the Pirates. On Twitter, he wrote, “I’m proud to officially be a Horned Frog!! Let’s get back to Omaha!”
The Pirates took Lodolo out of Damien High School in La Verne, Calif., with their competitive balance lottery pick. He is the only player they took in the top 10 rounds, the part of the draft — in addition to the portion of bonuses in rounds 11-40 that exceed $100,000 — governed by the signing bonus pool, who has not yet signed.
The slot value for Lodolo’s selection is $1,576,000, and the Pirates will lose that money from their bonus pool if they don’t sign Lodolo by the deadline Friday. They will receive the 42nd overall selection in the 2017 draft as long as they offered Lodolo a bonus of at least $630,400, or 40 percent of his slot value.
Robbed of Scahill
The Milwaukee Brewers claimed right-hander Rob Scahill off waivers from the Pirates. Scahill, who was designated for assignment July 3, had a 3.26 ERA in 43 relief appearances for the Pirates over the past two seasons.
Bill Brink contributed to this report. Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and Twitter @stephenjnesbitt.
First Published: July 12, 2016, 8:06 p.m.