Pirates GM: It's unrealistic to expect Kang to play Opening Day

In what might not be entirely surprising, the Pittsburgh Pirates will almost certainly be without third baseman Jung Ho Kang on Opening Day, according to Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

Kang recently received an eight-month sentence for DUI and was suspended for two years, though he elected to appeal the decision. His legal problems and lack of work visa have delayed his arrival to camp. He has not played in a spring training game.

Pirates GM Neal Huntington expects Kang to join the team eventually, but is unsure on the exact date. He did not express concern about his team, however, entering the regular season without the infielder.

"We’re to a point in time where it’s unrealistic to think Jung Ho’s going to be ready for opening day," Huntington said. "We remain optimistic we’re going to get him here hopefully sooner than later. Now the challenge is if we don’t, if it takes some time, we’ve built this club and feel good about the guys we have here."

In two seasons with the Pirates, Kang has hit .273 with 36 home runs in 229 games. His name has also appeared in the news for multiple non-baseball related issues like the DUI charges, his third since 2009, and an ongoing investigation related to an alleged 2016 sexual assault, though no charges have been laid against him.

Third baseman - and former World Series hero - David Freese is expected to start the season as the Pirates' third baseman with infielders Phil Gosselin and Alen Hanson potentially backing him up until Kang joins the team.