Jung Ho Kang to participate in alcohol treatment program

In the wake of Jung Ho Kang’s third DUI arrest in Korea in December, the Pirates infielder has agreed to participate in a treatment program for alcohol abuse, Bill Brink writes. Entering a program is voluntary, but the league could treat it as a “mitigating factor” in imposing discipline. The Pirates expect Kang to report to Spring Training on time.

Brink mentions that there could be an additional wrinkle here, which is that Kang needs a work visa for the upcoming season. Kang could be required to submit to a medical exam after being charged with drunk driving. He did, however, receive visas in 2015 and 2016 despite having earlier DUI cases on his record.

There isn’t much to add here, except that I hope Kang gets the help he pretty clearly seems to need. In addition to the three DUIs, he’s also been investigated for an alleged sexual assault last June. He hasn’t been charged in that incident.