major league baseball News & notes

Pittsburgh Pirates: Jung Ho Kang is scheduled to appear in court today for the first day of his trial for a charge of driving under the influence of alcohol in Seoul, South Korea. The trial is expected to begin at 4 p.m. locally, according to Yonhap News, which is 2 a.m. Eastern time. Kang agreed to participate in a treatment program recommended by a joint panel agreed upon by Major League Baseball and the player’s union, his agent told the Post-Gazette earlier this month, but his case — Kang’s third DUI-related arrest since 2009 — proceeded to trial anyway. Kang, currently absent from Pirates spring training, was arrested Dec. 2 after crashing into a guardrail in Seoul and fleeing the scene. A passenger claimed to be the driver, but police determined Kang drove. At the time, the Pirates said they were not aware of the previous DUIs. “Clearly, the more you know, the better off you are,” Pirates owner Bob Nutting said Tuesday. “What we need to focus on now is where we are right now, and clearly it’s not an ideal circumstance. We are absolutely disappointed that he has put himself and the organization in this circumstance. As importantly, he is disappointed and embarrassed that he has put the team in this place as well.” Nutting said he hoped Kang would “work through his challenges in Korea” and be able to return to the United States. The Pirates would “prefer not to be here,” he added, but are eager to help. “I think, frankly, we’ll be well positioned to help Jung Ho get back on his feet, get himself re-established, be in a community that will support him,” Nutting said. “At the same time, we will hold high level of expectation and demands on him.” Nutting declined to say whether Kang might face discipline from the team, saying it was “probably not appropriate” to speak on it before the case has passed through the legal system.

Baltimore Orioles: Baltimore acquired its second left-handed pitcher in three days when the New York Yankees dealt Richard Bleier to the Orioles for a player to be named or cash. Bleier had a 1.96 ERA in 23 games for the Yankees last season. He was designated for assignment last week when New York finalized a contract with first baseman Chris Carter. To make room for Bleier on the 40-man roster, the Orioles designated first baseman/outfielder Christian Walker for assignment. Walker batted .148 in 13 games with Baltimore in 2014 and 2015. The move Tuesday was the Orioles’ four in four days. They agreed to minor league contracts with outfielders Craig Gentry and Michael Bourn on Saturday and with Michael Bourn on Monday and acquired left-hander Vidal Nuno from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday. Bourn would get a $2 million, one-year contract if added to the 40-man roster.

Arizona Diamondbacks: Commissioner Rob Manfred came down solidly on the side of the Diamondbacks’ ownership in the team’s court battle with Maricopa County. The Diamondbacks have sued the county, seeking to remove a clause from their stadium lease to allow the team to look to move elsewhere. The team contends in the lawsuit that the county has failed to allocate some $187 million for maintenance and improvements at Chase Field. Manfred, speaking at a news conference Tuesday, said that “to be a major league-quality stadium,” Chase Field “needs work.” The county has asked that the suit be dismissed and the matter sent to arbitration. Owner Ken Kendrick said last week that the team will not go to arbitration to resolve the dispute. “The public’s money is at stake, our money is at stake, and if there is a dispute or debate it ought to be in public in front of a judge and not in private in arbitration,” he said. Chase Field is 19 years old and the Diamondbacks’ lease requires the team to play there until 2028.

Wire reports