Pirates to Recall Scorching Ji Hwan Bae

Ji Hwan Bae, who has been one of the hottest hitters at Triple-A this season, is being recalled by the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of Tuesday’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Bae started the season on the 10-day injured list with a hip injury and has played in 27 games with Triple-A Indianapolis upon his return. On the year, he’s slashed .367/.479/.551 with four doubles, one triple, four home runs, 15 RBIs and seven steals.

The 24-year-old is tops in the International League in batting average, on-base percentage and checks in at sixth in OPS.  In May, Bae has hit .379 with six extra-base hits including a pair of homers and five steals.

Bae appeared in 110 games with the Pirates last season and hit .240 with a .608 OPS and 24 stolen bases in 33 attempts. He made his major-league debut during the 2022 season and slashed .303/.405/.424 in 11 games.

Last year with Pittsburgh, Bae split the bulk of his time between center field and second base and made three appearances at shortstop. As he did in 2023, Bae will wear No. 3 for the Pirates in his return.

To make room for Bae on the active roster, the Pirates have optioned right-handed relief pitcher Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis.

Ryan, 29, has made 11 appearances out of the bullpen for the Pirates across several stints with the big-league club. He’s gone 1-0 with a 3.46 ERA, 14 strikeouts and seven walks in 13 innings pitched. Ryan last pitched in Friday’s game against the Cubs and allowed one run on two walks and a base hit without recording an out.