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Ji-hwan Bae, whom the Pirates signed in March 2018, made his Grapefruit League debut in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies at LECOM Park on March 26, 2018.
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Pirates prospect Ji-Hwan Bae suspended for 30 games

Elizabeth Bloom/Post-Gazette

Pirates prospect Ji-Hwan Bae suspended for 30 games

DETROIT— Pirates minor league infielder Ji-Hwan Bae was suspended without pay for 30 games for violating the Minor League Baseball Player Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy, MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred announced Wednesday.

Bae was found guilty in October 2018 by a South Korean court of assaulting his then-girlfriend on New Year’s Eve 2017. Bae, then 18 years old, was accused of choking, slapping and kicking her, according to a report in The Athletic. 

Bae, whose suspension will start Thursday, was playing with Class A  Greensboro and was 4-for-21 in five games. He was recently promoted from extended spring training in Bradenton, Fla. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington issued a statement shortly after the suspension was announced. 

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“The Pittsburgh Pirates strongly support Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy and agree with the need for significant penalties for any violation of this policy. The Pirates are committed to a culture that respects women on all levels and across all aspects of our organization,” Huntington said. “Ji-Hwan has completed a treatment program under the MLB policy. We will continue to work with him to ensure that he understands and adheres to the obligations and standards that are required of a professional baseball player and a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.” 

Pirates first baseman Josh Bell heads home after hitting a home run against the Reds in the fifth inning, Saturday, April 6, 2019, at PNC Park.
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Bae was one of the prospects caught in the middle of the Atlanta Braves’ international signing scandal in 2015-16, when the team was found to have circumvented international signing rules. His contract was rejected by MLB, and the Pirates signed Bae for $1.2 million.

Polanco, Diaz progressing

Gregory Polanco and Elias Diaz are making progress in their rehab assignments with Class AAA Indianapolis. Polanco had left shoulder surgery in September. He is 4 for 13 with two stolen bases and four RBIs with Indianapolis. Polanco started his rehab assignment April 7 with the Bradenton Mauraders after an extended spring training and was 2-for-13 with four walks and an RBI in four games.

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"Polanco played in back-to-back games on Monday and Tuesday and had a work day [Wednesday] and is scheduled to play nine innings on Thursday," said Todd Tomczyk, the Pirates’ director of team medicine.

Diaz had an undisclosed virus that was detected early in spring training. He missed most of spring training and started a rehab assignment April 4 in Bradenton. Diaz, who is following the same workout schedule as Polanco, is hitting 11 for 25 with three doubles and four RBIs in six games with Indianapolis.

Rehab assignments can be up to 20 days.

Rehab on tap

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Felipe Vazquez, right, celebrates with catcher Francisco Cervelli after beating the Detroit Tigers 3-2 in 10th innings after a baseball game in Detroit, Wednesday, April 17, 2019. Pittsburgh won 3-2.
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Lonnie Chisenhall is gearing up for a rehab assignment this weekend in Indianapolis assuming he gets through a workout Thursday. Chisenhall, who injured his hand in the next-to-last exhibition game, resumed all baseball activities earlier this week.

Kela struggling

Keone Kela's struggles recently have been well-documented. He blew a save Tuesday by giving up a run in the ninth inning. Hurdle said Kela wouldn't pitch Wednesday and that he is on an every-other-day schedule. Kela has given up a run in each of his past four outings since his most recent 1-2-3 inning April 5 against the Cincinnati Reds.

There has been speculation that there is something wrong with Kela based on the outings being so different from his track record as a reliever. Tomcyzk had a concise answer. "There aren't any current medical issues that Kela has reported," he said. "He's a high-leverage reliever. He's a closer. We're fortunate as a club that we have a lot of high-leverage options for [manager] Clint [Hurdle].

Nubyjas Wilborn: nwilborn@post-gazette.com Twitter: @nwilborn19.

First Published: April 17, 2019, 9:49 p.m.

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