WASHINGTON -- It has been a long, winding road back to professional baseball for Jungho Kang, but the infielder is officially back with the Pirates.
Kang, recently issued a work visa to enter the U.S., reported to the Pirate City complex in Bradenton, Fla., on Monday. Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle said the Pirates hope to get Kang back up to speed in extended spring camp, where he has already begun baseball activities.
"The process is to get him as complete as we can within 30 days," Hurdle said. "That's being mapped out as we can speak right now. There will be no game activity until we get his arm in shape, his legs in shape, get him swinging, get our people to look at him and evaluate him and then go from there."
The 31-year-old Kang last appeared in the Major Leagues with the Pirates in 2016, when he batted .255/.354/.513 with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in 103 games. He was unable to enter the U.S. after being arrested in December of '16 in his native country of South Korea for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol.
The Pirates have already stated they will not hand down further discipline to Kang. The club does not expect any type of suspension from Major League Baseball.
Kang participated in winter ball in the Dominican Republic, but struggled to a .143/.219/.202 batting line in 96 plate appearances for Aguilas Cibaenas before being released.
For now, Pittsburgh plans to put Kang through the training program the team devises after completing a series tests to evaluate his physical condition this week.
"They're in the process of all the physicals; they started that process," Hurdle said. "Everything is in the pretty early stages of being set up."
Worth noting
• Right-hander A.J. Schugel (right shoulder discomfort) made his seventh rehab appearance on Monday, throwing a scoreless inning for Triple-A Indianapolis.
• Righty Joe Musgrove is slated to begin a rehab assignment with Class A Advanced Bradenton on Tuesday. Musgrove is on the 10-day disabled list as he recovers from a right shoulder strain.