JI HWAN BAE NEWS

Checks back into spring lineup Bae (hand) will start in left field and bat leadoff in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox.

Impact Bae jammed the ring finger on his right hand when he was picked off while sliding back into third base during Sunday's game against the Tigers, but he needed just one day off to heal up from the injury. With Tommy Pham, Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds expected to form Pittsburgh's preferred starting outfield trio from left to right heading into Opening Day, Bae is competing with Billy Cook, Jack Suwinski, Joshua Palacios, DJ Stewart and Nick Solak for one or two reserve outfielder roles this spring. The 25-year-old Bae's elite speed could make him a useful asset off the bench, though the fact that he has two minor-league options remaining could compel the Pirates to send him to Triple-A Indianapolis to begin the season so he can receive steady at-bats.

2 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with minor hand issue Bae suffered a hand injury during Sunday's spring game against the Tigers, but manager Derek Shelton downplayed the injury, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Bae jammed his hand while sliding into third base but doesn't appear to be facing a serious injury. The 25-year-old struggled in 29 big-league games last season with a .463 OPS and spent most of the campaign in the minors.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Heading to minors Bae is being optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.comreports.

Impact Bae started three of Pittsburgh's previous four games, but he's mired in a 3-for-23 slump and will return to the minors. Oneil Cruz is making the transition to center field, while Isiah Kiner-Falefa is poised to serve as the club's primary shortstop for the rest of the season.

AUGUST 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Taking seat against righty Bae is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Reds.

Impact Though a right-hander (Nick Martinez) is on the hill for the Reds, the lefty-hitting Bae will head to the bench for the series finale. Michael Taylor will step in as the Pirates' center fielder in place of Bae, who still looks to be the Pirates' preferred option at the position after starting in each of the team's previous five matchups with righties.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against lefty Bae is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Rangers.

Impact The lefty-hitting Bae will hit the bench for the second day in a row while the Rangers send another southpaw (Andrew Heaney) to the hill, but the 25-year-old might have temporarily recaptured a regular spot in the lineup versus right-handed pitching. He started in each of the Pirates' last three matchups with righties, going 2-for-11 with three strikeouts. Billy McKinney looks to be Bae's main threat for playing time in right field with Bryan De La Cruz and Bryan Reynolds likely to see more starts at designated hitter in the short term while Andrew McCutchen (knee) is on the injured list.

AUGUST 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Playing time trending down Bae is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Padres.

Impact Bae will hit the bench along with fellow left-handed hitters Rowdy Tellez and Oneil Cruz while the Pirates send southpaw Martin Perez to the hill for the series finale. Unlike Tellez and Cruz, Bae's spot in the lineup against right-handed pitching doesn't look to be completely secure. Bae was on the bench for three of the Pirates' last five matchups with right-handers, as Michael Taylor started in center field in each of those contests.

AUGUST 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in loss Bae went 2-for-4 with a double, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's loss to the Pirates.

Impact Bae was productive in his return to the starting lineup after being on the bench the previous two games. He doubled his first time up and came around to score on an Andrew McCutchen home run. Bae then notched a base hit in the fifth and stole second but was left stranded. Though it's a smaller sample size, Sunday was just his second multi-hit game of the year, and the double was only his second extra-base hit. For the year, Bae is slashing .216/.281/.255 with four RBI, 10 runs, five steals and a 5:16 BB:K in 57 plate appearances.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Idle again Bae is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact Bae will be on the bench for a second consecutive game, giving way to Michael Taylor in center field again Saturday. Considering the Dodgers have started right-handed pitchers in both contests, the lefty-hitting Bae could be losing playing time.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Friday Bae isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Friday's game against the Dodgers.

Impact Bae has gone 3-for-17 with an RBI since returning from a knee injury that kept him sidelined for four games. He'll now get a breather Friday while Michael Taylor starts in center field and bats ninth.

AUGUST 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Checking back into starting nine Bae (knee) will start in center field and bat seventh in Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Bae hadn't started in any of Pittsburgh's last four games after he experienced left knee discomfort during Monday's 5-3 win over the Astros, but he showed enough improvement to make an appearance off the bench Saturday. In Pittsburgh's 4-2 win over Arizona, Bae entered the game in the bottom of the sixth inning as a pinch runner and came around to score, then struck out in his lone plate appearance of the night. With his knee apparently responding well following his cameo off the bench Saturday, Bae will step back into the starting nine for the series finale.

AUGUST 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Saturday Bae (knee) isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Saturday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Saturday will mark the fourth game in a row that Bae has missed since he departed Monday's contest with a left knee injury. The Pirates haven't made any sort of indication that the 25-year-old is trending toward a stay on the injured list, but he may need to be placed on the IL if his condition doesn't improve soon. In the meantime, Michael Taylor will continue to fill in as Pittsburgh's center fielder.

AUGUST 3, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still sitting Friday Bae (knee) is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Diamondbacks.

Impact Bae departed Monday's contest against the Astros due to left knee discomfort, and he'll sit for a third straight game coming off Thursday's team off day. Michael Taylor will receive another start in center field for the Buccos.

AUGUST 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting again Wednesday Bae (knee) isn't in the Pirates' lineup for Wednesday's game versus the Astros.

Impact Left knee discomfort forced Bae out of Monday's game, and the injury will now cause him to miss his second consecutive start Wednesday. As a result, Michael Taylor will pick up another start in center field and bat ninth.

JULY 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out of lineup Bae (knee) is not in the Pirates' lineup Tuesday versus the Astros.

Impact Bae experienced left knee discomfort in Monday's game against the Astros following a sixth-inning bunt attempt, and he was forced to exit the contest. In his absence Tuesday, Michael Taylor is starting in center field and batting ninth.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Remains out of lineup Bae (knee) is not in the Pirates' lineup Tuesday versus the Astros.

Impact Bae faced left knee discomfort in Monday's game against the Astros, which forced him to leave in the bottom of the sixth inning. The injury occurred after it appeared he tweaked something in his left knee after a bunt attempt. In his absence Tuesday, Michael Taylor is starting in center field and batting ninth.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves early Monday Bae left Monday's contest against the Astros early with left knee discomfort.

Impact Bae was forced to the leave the game in the bottom of the sixth inning after appearing to tweak something in his left knee while trying to leg out a bunt in the top of the frame. He finished his day 0-for-2 at the plate and more information on his status moving forward will likely be provided in the near future.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves early Monday Bae left Monday's contest against the Astros early with left knee discomfort.

Impact Bae was forced to the leave the game in the bottom of the sixth inning after appearing to tweak something in his left knee while trying to leg out a bunt in the top of the frame. He finished his day 0-for-2 at the plate and more information on his status moving forward will likely be provided in the near future.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing second straight start Bae will start in center field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Astros.

Impact He'll man center field for the second game in a row, with both of his starts coming against right-handed pitching. Bae looks set to occupy the strong side of a platoon in center field with the righty-hitting Michael Taylor after fellow the Pirates optioned fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Jack Suwinski to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing second straight start Bae will start in center field and bat seventh in Monday's game against the Astros.

Impact He'll man center field for the second game in a row, with both of his starts coming against right-handed pitching. Bae looks set to occupy the strong side of a platoon in center field with the righty-hitting Michael Taylor after fellow the Pirates optioned fellow left-handed-hitting outfielder Jack Suwinski to Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag Sunday Bae went 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored in Sunday's win over the Diamondbacks.

Impact Bae got a second consecutive start since being recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday and swiped his third bag of the season after getting walked in the fifth. He likely won't be up with the big club for much longer with Bryan Reynolds (back) set to return from the bereavement list any day now. Bae now has six base hits, three RBI, six runs, three steals and a 3:9 BB:K in 34 plate appearances with the Pirates this year.

JULY 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates recall Ji Hwan Bae, activate Hunter Stratton off injured list prior to weekend series in Arizona PHOENIX — The Pirates announced a few roster moves prior to the start of their three-game series this weekend in Arizona. The club has recal...

JULY 26, 2024 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Summoned from Triple-A The Pirates recalled Bae from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday.

Impact With Bryan Reynolds (back) getting placed on the bereavement list Thursday, Bae will supply some temporary depth in the outfield. Bae played center field in all six of his starts with the Pirates this season but could mix in at the corner outfield positions. He's slashing .355/.434/.497 for Indianapolis.

JULY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Yimi García secures the save | 06/02/2024 Yimi García strikes out Ji Hwan Bae swinging, securing the Blue Jays' series win, 5-4 over the Pirates

JUNE 2, 2024 • MLB.COM

May poach playing time from Taylor Bae will start in center field and bat ninth in Thursday's game against the Giants, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Bae will stick in the starting nine for the second time in three games and may end up getting a look in the strong side of a platoon in center field with the right-handed-hitting Michael Taylor, who is on the bench Thursday and has been withheld from the lineup in four straight matchups versus righties. After being called up from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Bae impressed in his 2024 big-league debut later that night in the Pirates' 7-6 win over San Francisco, going 1-for-3 with a walk, a stolen base, two runs and an RBI.

MAY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Swipes bag in 2024 debut Bae went 1-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and an RBI on Tuesday against the Giants.

Impact Bae began the season on the injured list and was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis upon his activation in mid-April. He started in center field Tuesday and hit ninth, bumping Michael Taylor to the bench. It's unclear how the Pirates will divide playing time in the outfield, though Rowdy Tellez could be the primary player to lose playing time with Connor Joe shifting his primary position from right field to first base.

MAY 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE