Report: Ex-Pirates infielder Kang wants to return to KBO

Former Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang is interested in a return to the Korean Baseball Organization.

Kang, 33, asked to be taken off the voluntarily retired list last week, an official with the KBO told Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News.

The Nexen Heroes placed Kang on the list upon posting him following the 2014 season. He signed with the Pirates in January 2015.

The Heroes must agree to take him off the list as they still retain his rights. However, a club official said Kang has yet to contact the team about a return, according to Yoo.

Kang finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2015 after hitting .287/.355/.461 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs. During his sophomore campaign, he belted 21 homers and drove in 62 RBIs with an .867 OPS.

In July 2016, a 23-year-old Chicago woman said Kang sexually assaulted her, though she later didn't cooperate with police and no charges were brought against the player.

Kang faced more legal trouble in December 2016 when he was charged after crashing a car and then fleeing the scene while under the influence.

He was placed on the restricted list by the Pirates and missed the entire 2017 campaign because his visa was revoked. It was Kang's third DUI.

Kang returned to play three games for the Pirates toward the end of the 2018 season.

After making the Opening Day lineup as the Pirates' third baseman in 2019, he was released in August thanks to a paltry .169/.222/.395 slash line in 65 games.