JI MAN CHOI NEWS

Heads to bench versus lefty Choi is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact With Carlos Santana having been traded to the Brewers on Thursday, Choi has settled in as the Pirates' primary option at first base, starting each of the last three games at the position while going 4-for-12 with a home run, two doubles and an additional run and RBI. Though Connor Joe will get the nod at first base Sunday while southpaw Cristopher Sanchez takes the hill for Philadelphia, the lefty-hitting Choi should be fairly secure in a strong-side platoon role.

JULY 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in Friday's loss Choi went 1-for-4 with a solo home run in Friday's 8-5 loss to the Angels.

Impact Choi has homered three times in his last seven games while going 6-for-19 (.316) in that span. The warm bat has helped Choi remain in the mix for playing time between first base and designated hitter. Carlos Santana and Andrew McCutchen are also involved in that playing time battle with two spots available for the three players. Choi is at a .186/.210/.475 slash line with five homers, nine RBI, seven runs scored and two doubles over 62 plate appearances this season.

JULY 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opportunity likely coming to close Choi went 1-for-3 with a home run and two RBI on Friday against the Giants.

Impact Choi belted his fourth home run of the season and second in as many games when he took Ross Stripling deep in fifth inning. He's had a regular starting role since returning from the injured list July 7, and he's taken advantage by going 4-for-15 with a double in addition to his two long balls. However, he's at significant risk of losing playing time as early as Sunday, as Andrew McCutchen (elbow) is expected to return and will almost certainly resume his duties as the team's primary designated hitter.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in victory Choi went 2-for-4 with a home run, a double and two RBI in Sunday's win over Arizona.

Impact Choi launched a two-run shot in the second inning for his third homer of the season. He was activated from the 60-day injured list Friday and went 3-for-12 during the weekend series against the Diamondbacks. Choi is slashing .159/.159/.409 this season but he's seen just 44 plate appearances after missing nearly three months of action.

JULY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Choi slugs 2-run homer as Pirates beat Diamondbacks 4-2 to end 4-game losing streak

Ji Man Choi hit a two-run homer, seven Pittsburgh pitchers combined on a four-hitter and the Pirates ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks

JULY 9, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Activated from 60-day IL Pittsburgh activated Choi (Achilles) from the 60-day injured list Friday.

Impact Choi is finally recovered from the left Achilles strain that has kept him out since mid-April, just in time to serve as a DH option for the Pirates as Andrew McCutchen (elbow) heads to the 10-day IL. Choi went 10-for-31 (.323) with three homers and nine RBI on his nine-game minor league rehab assignment between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rehab shifting to Triple-A Choi (Achilles) will continue his rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis this week, Jarrod Prugar of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Choi began a rehab assignment at Double-A Altoona this week and went 1-for-5 with a double and a strikeout over two games. Assuming he feels good after making some appearances with the Triple-A club, he'll likely be in the mix to return from the injured list late this week.

JUNE 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Beginning assignment Choi (Achilles) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Altoona on Thursday.

Impact Thursday will be Choi's first taste of game action since landing on the injured list April 15 with a left Achilles strain. The Pirates haven't indicated how long they plan on keeping Choi in the minors, but a return before the end of June could be possible.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues to make progress Choi (Achilles) is participating in "about all" baseball activities in his rehab, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Choi was able to start fielding grounders last week as he recovers from his left Achilles strain, and he's now seen those activities ramped up. The veteran first baseman was transferred to the 60-day injured list, so the earliest he can return to the Pittsburgh lineup is July 1. Assuming he continues to make steady progress, it seems realistic for Choi to be back right around that activation date.

MAY 31, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Jason Mackey's Pirates mailbag: Examining the ripple effect of Ji-Man Choi's looming return When Ji-Man Choi returns, the Pirates will have an interesting situation on their hands when it comes to playing time.

MAY 26, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Doing more baseball activities Choi (Achilles) fielded grounders from his knees Tuesday in Pittsburgh, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Choi is easing back into baseball activities five weeks after being placed on the 10-day injured list because of a left Achilles strain. He was eventually transferred to the 60-day IL and probably won't be ready to return to the Pirates' active roster until late June or early July.

MAY 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Light baseball activities Choi (Achilles) has resumed light baseball activities, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Choi is about four weeks into an eight-week timetable for resumption of full baseball activities, but he is able to do a little light hitting and throwing now. It figures to be at least July before he can return from his Achilles injury.

MAY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Transferred to 60-day IL Choi (Achilles) was transferred from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list by the Pirates on Sunday.

Impact It's a procedural move by the Pirates to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Drew Maggi after Maggi had his contract selected from Double-A Altoona. Choi is expected to return around the start of July from a strained left Achilles.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates 1B Ji Man Choi out 8 weeks with left Achilles strain

Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ji Man Choi will miss the next eight weeks with a left Achilles tendon strain

APRIL 19, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rob Biertempfel: Per Pirates sports med dir Todd Tomczyk: -... - The Athletic Per Pirates sports med dir Todd Tomczyk: - Ji-Man Choi diagnosed w/Achilles muscle strain and will be in a walking boot "for several weeks."...

APRIL 19, 2023 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Sidelined eight weeks Choi (Achilles) is expected to be sidelined eight weeks, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Choi originally tweaked his left Achilles during spring training and tried unsuccessfully to play through it, eventually landed on the injured list this past weekend. He won't need surgery at this time but will require plenty of rest and rehab.

APRIL 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Likely out behind 10-day minimum Pirates vice president of baseball operations said Sunday that Choi (Achilles) is likely to require more than a 10-day stint on the injured list, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports....

Impact The 31-year-old will be eligible to be activated April 25, but his absence is likely to extend into May. Choi suffered the Achilles strain during spring training and played through the issue during the first couple weeks of the season, but the Pirates opted to place him on the shelf after a 4-for-32 start to the campaign.

APRIL 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates place 1B Ji Man Choi (Achilles) on injured list The Pittsburgh Pirates put first baseman Ji Man Choi on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a left Achilles strain.

APRIL 15, 2023 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Placed on 10-day IL Choi was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to April 14, with a left Achilles strain.

Impact It was originally labeled as posterior ankle discomfort, but further testing has revealed the Achilles strain. There is no timetable for his return. Tucupita Marcano is up from Triple-A Indianapolis to provide the Pirates with some infield depth.

APRIL 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched with sore ankle Choi was scratched from Friday's lineup against the Cardinals with left posterior ankle discomfort.

Impact Connor Joe replaces Choi in the lineup at first base. It's unclear if Choi will require additional time to get his ankle right.

APRIL 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Swords, Samurai helmets and more: Ranking MLB's best home run celebrations

MLB home run celebrations have reached a new level in 2023, and the Flippin' Bats crew ranked their three favorites. Check them out here alo...

APRIL 14, 2023

Heads to bench Wednesday Choi is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Astros.

Impact Choi will take a seat for the matinee contest after starting each of the past four games while going 3-for-15 with a pair of solo home runs and a double. Andrew McCutchen replaces Choi as the Pirates' designated hitter.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers and doubles in win Choi homered and doubled while drawing a walk in Tuesday's victory over the Astros.

Impact Choi gave the Pirates a 3-2 lead with a solo blast to right field off Cristian Javier. The former Tampa Bay first baseman has gone deep twice so far in his first season with the Pirates, but he's hitting just .148 with 12 strikeouts over his first 27 at-bats of the year.

APRIL 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rookie Bae hits 3-run homer in 9th, Pirates beat Astros 7-4

Rookie Ji-Hwan Bae hit a game-ending three-run homer in the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Houston Astros 7-4

APRIL 12, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Pirates' Ji Man Choi homers against lefty Valdez, more at-bats, opportunities potentially in store The last time Ji Man Choi hit a home run against a left-handed pitcher, a mask was tucked underneath his chin. It was July 26, 2020, smack d...

APRIL 11, 2023 • POST-GAZETTE.COM