Bae Ji-hwan (26) of the Pittsburgh Pirates has been selected for the opening roster for the first time in two years.

Noah Hills of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette revealed the Pirates' 26-man opening roster through his social media on the 27th (Korea time).

Pitchers Paul Skins, Mitch Keller, Bailey Falter, Andrew Heaney, Carmen Mlodzinski, David Bednar, Colin Holderman, Dennis Santana, Justin Lawrence, Ryan Borucki, Caleb Ferguson, Tim Mayza, and Joey Wentz (13 total), catchers Joey Bart and Endy Rodriguez (2 total), infielders Adam Frazier, Nick Gonzales, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Ke'Bryan Hayes, and Jared Triolo (5 total), outfielders Andrew McCutchen, Bryan Reynolds, O'Neill Cruz, Jack Swinski, Bae Ji-hwan, and Tommy Pham (6 total) made it to the opening roster.

Bae Ji-hwan broke into the opening roster for the first time in two years since 2023. Last year, he started the season on the injured list due to hip pain during spring training, but this year he survived the competition.

When spring training began, Bae Ji-hwan's chances of making the team did not look promising. The Pirates solidified their starting positions with center fielder O'Neill Cruz and right fielder Bryan Reynolds, while Tommy Pham, who signed a one-year $4,025,000 free agent contract early last month, took the left field slot. Excluding designated hitter McCutchen, there was only one spot left for an outfield backup, and Bae Ji-hwan had to compete against the powerful Swinski, who hit 26 home runs in 2023.

However, Bae Ji-hwan turned the tables during the spring games. He batted .381 (16 hits in 42 at-bats) with 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 13 runs scored, 3 walks, 9 strikeouts, and 3 stolen bases, with an on-base percentage of .422, slugging percentage of .595, and OPS of 1.017. Although he fell short of maintaining a .400 average at the end of the spring games, he showcased his peak batting form and changed the Pirates' plan, which seemed to suggest they would take only one outfield backup.

The Pirates decided to include both Bae Ji-hwan and Swinski on the opening roster, providing two outfield backups. Spencer Hojitz, whom the team brought in via trade with expectations as the starting first baseman, underwent surgery on his right wrist early last month and began rehabilitation. DJ Stewart, a non-roster invitee, was expected to fill this void, but his performance in 19 spring games saw him batting only .250 (10 hits in 40 at-bats) with 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 7 runs scored, 4 walks, and 16 strikeouts, along with an on-base percentage of .348, slugging percentage of .450, and OPS of .798, which were not impressive.

After the final spring game, Stewart was sent down to the minor league camp, and Bae Ji-hwan successfully made it until the end. Until Hojitz returns, utility player Triolo is expected to handle first base while catcher Rodriguez supports him. Bae Ji-hwan must demonstrate his value before Hojitz returns, which is expected by May at the latest. Since he is not a starter, he must make the most of his limited opportunities.

Meanwhile, the Pirates will have their opening game against the Miami Marlins on the 28th at 5:10 a.m. in Miami, Florida. The starting pitcher for Pittsburgh is right-hander Paul Skins, who won the National League (NL) Rookie of the Year award last year. The Miami starter is right-hander Sandy Alcantara, the NL Cy Young Award winner in 2022. Bae Ji-hwan has yet to face Alcantara.

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