Major League Baseball

Pirates' Jung Ho Kang investigated for sexual assault claim

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 2:51 p.m. ET

foxsports

CHICAGO (AP) Chicago police said Tuesday that they are investigating an allegation of sexual assault against Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang.

In a statement, police said a 23-year-old woman reported being assaulted by Kang inside a hotel. Police spokesman Anthony Guglielmi said the Chicago woman met Kang through a dating app. Kang invited the woman to his hotel room on June 17, after the Pirates played the Cubs.

The woman said she blacked out, then drifted in and out of consciousness as he sexually assaulted her. The woman's name has not been released.

The 29-year-old Kang has not been charged. He pinch-hit in the 9th inning Tuesday night against the St. Louis Cardinals, singling in the Pirates' 5-2 win.

Pirates President Frank Coonelly said in a statement the team was taking the allegation ''extremely seriously'' and was cooperating with Major League Baseball. Coonelly declined further comment.

Kang, who is from South Korea, was batting .250 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs is in the second year of a four-year, $11 million contract. He was third in NL rookie of the year balloting last year.