Re:[3차] Pirates shortstop Kang out for season with injury

Pirates shortstop Kang out for season with injury   Pittsburgh Pirates rookie shortstop Kang Jung-ho suffered a season-ending injury early in his team's 9-6 loss to the Chicago Cubs at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Thursday.   ① In the top of the first inning, the 28-year-old Korean's left knee was injured when Cubs right fielder Chris Coghlan slid into him in an unsuccessful attempt to break up a double play by lifting his right leg and making contact with Kang's left knee.   Unable to walk on his own after the collision, Kang had to be helped off the field by his team's staff. Kang was taken to a hospital for tests and had surgery.   "Kang underwent surgery tonight at AGH (Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh) on a displaced lateral tibial plateau fracture and lateral meniscal repair," the Pirates said through their official Twitter account, adding that the "estimated return to competition is six to eight months."   "It is unfortunate that what would be considered heads-up baseball would cause such a serious injury," Kang's agent, Alan Nero of Octagon Baseball, quoted Kang as saying in a statement. ② "That said, Coghlan was playing the game the way it should be played. I'm confident he meant me no harm. I appreciate everyone's support."   Due to Kang's absence, the rest of the season for the Pirates has been dealt a blow as they lost one of the team's most productive hitters while the Pirates and the Cubs are fighting for the top wild card berth in the National League (NL). With the 9-6 loss, the Pirates lead the Cubs by two games in the chase for the top NL wild card spot.   Kang, who is in his first Major League Baseball (MLB) season after signing a four year, $11 million contract with the Pirates last winter, has been enjoying a solid rookie season, batting .287 with 121 hits including 15 home runs and 24 doubles in 126 games. He is the first position player to directly make the jump from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) to the MLB.