Pirates minor-league shortstop Ji-Hwan Bae began a 30-game suspension Thursday for assaulting his then-girlfriend, but she feels the team should release him.
A South Korean court found Bae guilty in October 2018 of assaulting Seul-Gi Kim on New Year’s Eve 2017. Bae was accused of choking, slapping and kicking her, according to multiple reports.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred announced Wednesday that Bae had been suspended for violating the Minor League Baseball Player Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Policy. But Kim told The Athletic she believes Bae should be released.
“I don't think the punishment is enough,” Kim told The Athletic. “It's too weak, compared to my suffering. I honestly want (the Pirates) to release him."
Kim told The Athletic she had to be prescribed sleeping pills to deal with lingering trauma from the incident.
Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement Wednesday that Bae has completed a treatment program.
“The Pittsburgh Pirates strongly support Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy and agree with the need for significant penalties for any violation of this policy," Huntington said. "The Pirates are committed to a culture that respects women on all levels and across all aspects of our organization. Ji-Hwan has completed a treatment program under the MLB policy.
"We will continue to work with him to ensure that he understands and adheres to the obligations and standards that are required of a professional baseball player and a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.”
Bae, 19, plays with Pittsburgh's Single-A affiliate in Greensboro, North Carolina, and is ranked the Pirates' No. 27 prospect, according to MLB.com. He is 4 for 21 in five games this season.