Choi ‘nearing the end of rehab’…will play minor league rehab game this week
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Choi Ji-Man, 32, is close to making his return to Major League Baseball (MLB).
“His condition has improved a lot, and he is in the final stages of catching, defense, batting, and running the bases. He is scheduled to play in a minor league rehabilitation game from the 21st at the earliest.”
Choi was placed on the 60-day disabled list on April 20 after a torn Achilles tendon in his left foot was confirmed. 메이저사이트
Prior to the injury, Choi was batting just .125 (4-for-32) with two home runs in nine games.
He was on a roll, hitting two home runs in two consecutive games against the Houston Astros on April 11-12, when he was injured.
After landing on the disabled list, Choi wore a walking boot for a while to protect his ankle and focused on rehabilitation. According to Choi, part of his treatment included autologous platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP injections).
This treatment involves extracting plasma and platelets from the patient’s own blood, concentrating them, and re-injecting them into the body to help regenerate cartilage and relieve joint pain.
As his condition gradually improved, Choi took off his protective glove early last month and conducted baseball-related activities on the field, including catching and fielding drills.
메이저도메인 Recently, as his rehabilitation has come to a close, he has been batting and running the bases.
Choi’s original goal of returning to the first team in the middle of this month has been delayed, but he hopes to return to the first team in time for the San Diego Padres’ game at home on the 28th.
If his rehabilitation goes smoothly, we can expect to see three Korean major leaguers playing in the same game, including San Diego’s Kim Ha-seong and Pittsburgh’s Bae Ji-hwan.
Meanwhile, Pittsburgh, which was categorized as a bottom-feeder before the start of the season, swept to 20 wins in its first 28 games and led the National League Central for a while.
Even after losing Choi to injury, the experienced switch-hitter Carlos Santana provided some offensive firepower, and Conor Jo continued his stellar play at first base.
But the bats went cold in May, and so did the team. They are now 34-36 and have fallen to third place in the district.
If a healthy Choi can regain his batting touch, Pittsburgh could climb the standings.
Choi, who is eligible for free agency at the end of this season, also needs to rebound as an individual.