'Syracuse→Tampa→Memphis→Milwaukee': What happened to Bae Ji-hwan, returning to MLB just five days after being released and getting a hit in his first at-bat... "I think I met about 200 people over two days"

*This content was translated by AI.

Bae Ji-hwan (27), who delivered his best debut performance before the new home fans of the Milwaukee Brewers, reflected on the frantic past five days.

On the 10th (Korean time), Bae Ji-hwan appeared as a pinch runner in the 2026 MLB regular-season home game against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA, recording one hit in one at-bat and contributing to Milwaukee's 4-3 comeback victory.

Bae Ji-hwan replaced Brandon Lockridge before the seventh-inning defense and made his Milwaukee debut as a center fielder. The highlight came in the bottom of the seventh with the score tied 3-3 and one out. Bae Ji-hwan swung at the outside cutter on the first pitch from left-handed pitcher A.J. Minter and sprinted toward first base. The ball rolled slowly along the first-base foul line, and by the time first baseman Victor Caratini made a throw, Bae had already reached first base safely.

Although he failed to drive in a run with the subsequent batter, Bae Ji-hwan successfully executed a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the ninth as well. Through these two bunts, he firmly impressed the new home fans about his strengths. His speed, bunting ability, and versatility to play multiple positions were weapons he consistently highlighted as essential for surviving in the big leagues.

Milwaukee then secured a thrilling 4-3 walk-off victory in the bottom of the 10th inning with one out and runners on first and second when Jake Bauers hit a sacrifice single to left field, driving in a run. For Bae Ji-hwan, it was his first day wearing the new uniform, where he experienced both a hit and a team victory.

After the game, Bae Ji-hwan shared the behind-the-scenes story of his first hit with local reporters, which was quite interesting. Just a few hours earlier, it had been unclear whether he would even play in the game. Todd Rogacki, a reporter for the Milwaukee-based media outlet 'Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,' relayed the story, saying, "The past 24 hours have been incredibly hectic for Bae Ji-hwan."

Following the schedule revealed by Reporter Rogacki, it was literally a grueling march. After completing an away schedule with Syracuse, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, Bae received notice of his release on the 4th. He immediately packed his bags and moved to Tampa, Florida, where he lives.

A few days later, a new opportunity arose. The Milwaukee Brewers extended an offer to Bae Ji-hwan, and a minor league contract was finalized on the 9th. Bae began moving again to join Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of Milwaukee. At that time, Nashville was playing an away game in Memphis.

However, he could not stay long in Memphis either. Coincidentally, Cooper Pratt (22), Milwaukee's top prospect and shortstop, suffered a hamstring injury on the same day. With a sudden variable occurring in the big league position players, the possibility of Bae heading to Milwaukee arose immediately.

After finishing his game in Memphis, Bae headed to the airport from early morning. He arrived at the Milwaukee clubhouse that same morning. In just a few days, he had repeatedly traveled between Syracuse and Tampa, Memphis, and finally Milwaukee, moving across the eastern, southern, and central United States.

Even after arriving in Milwaukee, the situation continued to change. It was not initially confirmed that he would play in that day's game. At best, he was expected to be part of the taxi squad. The taxi squad consists of reserve players who travel with the team in case a variable occurs in the major league roster.

The situation changed just before the game. Bae Ji-hwan finally received word that he had been added to the major league roster and might play in the later innings. Just five days after receiving release notice, the player stood on the big league field again just one day after signing with his new team.

In fact, it was about 11 months since September 15 of last year. Bae Ji-hwan said, "I was really excited. The team atmosphere was also very good. Entering the game in a close situation, I was a bit nervous at first, but that quickly turned into excitement. It was really fun," he smiled.

After graduating from Gyeongbuk High School, Bae Ji-hwan signed an international amateur contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018 and challenged the American stage. He made his big league debut with Pittsburgh in 2022 and played in 111 games in 2023, alternating between center field and second base. His playing time gradually diminished, and after finishing the 2025 season, he left Pittsburgh for the Mets.

Although he did not even get a chance to play in the big leagues with the Mets, the situation reversed within just one day at Milwaukee. Bae Ji-hwan smiled, saying, "Including the people I met at Triple-A yesterday (the 9th), I think I met about 200 new people over two days."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.