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Kang left off Opening Day starting lineup, Ryu to begin throwing program

April 6, 2015

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jung Ho Kang, of South Korea, center, sits with his interpreter, left, and Pirates second baseman Neil Walker in the dugout before a spring training exhibition baseball game against the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field in Bradenton, Fla., Thursday, March 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

By Brian Han

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Kang Jung-ho will begin the regular season on the bench in an Opening Day match up against the Cincinnati Reds Monday.

Instead Jordy Mercer will start at the position who is entering his fourth year with the team.

Kang was one of the Pirates’ most exciting off season acquisitions after coming off a very strong year in the Korean Baseball Organization batting .356 with 40 home runs 117 RBIs.

He struggled throughout spring training and ended on a slight upswing to hit .200 with two home runs in 45 at-bats.

The 28-year-old South Korean may see some playing time later in the game.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ryu Hyn-jin will begin a throwing program Tuesday after being shutdown for two weeks following shoulder inflammation.

MRIs showed no structural damage, but Ryu experienced the same issue twice last season sidelining him for 46 total days.

The club placed Ryu on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to March 27 so he could be back by April 10, but he is expected to miss at least two starts.

“I don’t know how we can judge anything yet,” Mattingly said. “He hasn’t thrown a ball. Until he gets into that process of throwing and things like that, we’ll know a lot more.”