Pirates’ Kang being investigated for alleged assault
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang is being investigated for an alleged sexual assault that took place last month in Chicago.
According to the Chicago Tribune, the incident is alleged to have occurred on June 17th, when the Pirates were in town to play the Cubs.
A woman reported she had met Kang through an online dating service, went to his hotel room and had a drink with Kang. After about 15 minutes, she blacked out and was in and out of consciousness as he sexually assaulted her, according to Chicago police.
She did not become fully conscious until she was on her way home. She went to a local hospital to have a rape kit completed, and filed a complaint with police about10 days later.
On Tuesday, the Pirates released a statement that said, “We have been made aware of the allegation that has been made against Jung Ho Kang. We take allegations of this type extremely seriously. Pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy on such matters, this matter is exclusively before the Commissioner’s Office at this time. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the Commissioner’s Office. … We all need to be respectful to the police investigation of a very serious allegation.”
Former Penn State players want return of Paterno statue
Over 200 former Penn State football lettermen petitioned the university on Tuesday for the return of the bronze statue of the late Joe Paterno.
The statue of the former Penn State football coach was removed in the summer of 2012 during the Jerry Sandusky child sexual molestation case.
Former players and coaches dating back to the 1950s requested the return of statue and also asked for the university to apologize to Paterno’s widow.
Former tight end/punter Brian Masella penned the letter. Among the former players who put their names on the letter was 1973 Heisman Trophy winner John Cappelletti, a former running back.
A university spokesman acknowledged receipt of the letter but the school didn’t issue a comment.
The statue’s current whereabouts are unknown and Penn State has previously stated it is in a “secure location.”
Reds land Cuban shortstop for $7 million
The Cincinnati Reds agreed to terms on a $7 million minor league deal with Cuban shortstop Alfredo Rodriguez on Monday.
The Reds announced the deal with the 22-year-old shortly after their 10-4 loss to the Chicago Cubs.
Rodriguez, who signed his contract wearing a No. 11 jersey to honor Hall of Famer Barry Larkin, will play in the rookie-level Dominican Summer League, the team announced. He follows in the footsteps of countrymen Aroldis Chapman and Raisel Iglesias in joining Cincinnati.
Rodriguez, who is ranked No. 6 on MLB.com’s Top 30 International Prospects, won Rookie of the Year honors in the Cuban professional league in 2014-15. He hit .265 in 304 plate appearances in his lone professional season.
Georgia RB undergoes surgery for fractured arm
Georgia running back Sony Michel underwent surgery to repair a fractured left forearm, the school announced.
Michel underwent the surgery on Monday after being injured in an accident on Sunday evening, the university said in a press release.
The school didn’t provide a timetable for Michel’s recovery. The Bulldogs open the season on Sept. 3 against North Carolina.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that the accident occurred in an all-terrain vehicle.
Michel is coming off a strong sophomore season in which he had a team-leading 1,161 rushing yards. He also caught 26 passes for 270 yards.