Pittsburgh Pirates manager Derek Shelton gave a positive assessment of first baseman Ji-Man Choi’s rehabilitation.
“He’s doing well so far,” Shelton said in an interview before the Pirates’ home game against the Texas Rangers on Thursday (April 24) at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Choi, who was sidelined in mid-April due to an Achilles tendon injury, is currently rehabbing without a brace. On the field, he practiced first base defense and played catch.
Shelton said, “He is currently doing baseball-related training. He’s hitting in the batting cage. I’m making progress. It’s a positive sign,” Shelton said of his rehabilitation.
It’s still too early to discuss a timetable for his return. “Anybody who goes on the 60-day disabled list needs to get acclimated to the game,” he said, adding that he will play a rehab game before returning.
When asked, “What role do you think Choi can play when he’s healthy?” he said, “We’ve seen him control the strike zone and impact the game. He’s showing professional at-bats. That’s why we signed him. He’s going to continue to make the lineup stronger.”
Pittsburgh currently has Carlos Santana playing well at first base. When Choi returns, the two are expected to share the first base defense.
“When (Choi) comes back, we’ll be able to give Santana a day off,” Shelton said. He’s playing almost every game right now. He’s been doing a great job at first base. If you look at our record, our first base defense is one of the best in the league. It’s going to be important to give him some rest later in the season,” he said, noting that playing the two together could work.먹튀검증
Pittsburgh’s lineup against right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (5-2, 2.83) will be Andrew McCutchen (designated hitter), Brian Reynolds (left field), Zack Sewinski (center field), Carlos Santana (first base), Keith Bryan Hayes (third base), Tucupita Makano (shortstop), Josh Palacios (right field), Bae Ji-Hwan (second base) and Austin Hedges (catcher).
Texas went with Marcus Simien (second base), Corey Seager (shortstop), Nathaniel Lowe (first base), Adolis Garcia (right field), Josh Young (third base), Jonah Heim (catcher), Robbie Grossman (left field), Ezequiel Duran (designated hitter), and Leodis Taveras (center field). They will be countered by left-hander Rich Hill, who is 4-3 with a 3.80 ERA.