ST. LOUIS -- Jung Ho Kang is being investigated by the Chicago Police Department after a sexual assault allegation was made against him regarding an incident that allegedly occurred during the Pirates' series against the Cubs last month.
Aside from a statement released Tuesday by club president Frank Coonelly, the Pirates and Kang -- who is with the team in St. Louis and still on Pittsburgh's active roster -- declined to comment. The Chicago Tribune first reported Tuesday that Kang is being investigated.
"We have been made aware of the allegation that has been made against Jung Ho Kang," Coonelly said in a statement. "We take allegations of this type extremely seriously. Pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy on such matters, this matter is exclusively before the Commissioner's Office at this time. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the Commissioner's Office.
"As a result of the ongoing police investigation, we cannot comment further at this time. We have also advised our staff and our players that they should not comment on the matter either. We all need to be respectful to the police investigation of a very serious allegation."
Kang, a 29-year-old third baseman who signed with the Pirates out of South Korea last offseason, has not been charged with a crime.