*This content was translated by AI.
Bae Ji-hwan (27) has secured his first starting opportunity since joining the Milwaukee Brewers.
On the 12th (Korean time), Bae will start as the designated hitter and second baseman in the away game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego, California, USA, for the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season.
Milwaukee will send Kyle Harrison to the mound as their starting pitcher. The lineup is set as follows: Bryce Turang (shortstop), Jackson Chourio (left fielder), Garrett Mitchell (center fielder), Jake Bauers (first baseman), William Contreras (catcher), Christian Yelich (designated hitter), Luis Larraga (right fielder), David Hamilton (third baseman), and Bae Ji-hwan (second baseman).
In response, San Diego has set their lineup with starting pitcher Walker Buehler, followed by Fernando Tatis Jr. (right fielder), Luisangel Acuña (designated hitter), Manny Machado (third baseman), Tyler Fitzgerald (first baseman), Jackson Merrill (center fielder), Austin Hays (left fielder), Luis Campusano (catcher), Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), and Jake Cronenworth (second baseman). Song Seong-moon was excluded from the starting lineup.
Bae Ji-hwan signed a minor league contract with Milwaukee on the 10th and was immediately added to the major league roster. He then made his return appearance as a pinch runner in the top of the 7th inning before defense began. Later, in the bottom of the 7th with the score tied at 3-3, one out, and no runners on base, he recorded a surprise bunt single and a stolen base, proving his presence. He then sat out the game against San Diego on the 11th but secured an unexpected starting opportunity today.
There is a reason why Bae Ji-hwan's performance has raised so much curiosity: he has not received sufficient playing opportunities this season. Before joining Milwaukee, Bae played for the Syracuse Mets, Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, in 97 games this season, posting a batting average of .257, five home runs, 32 RBIs, 36 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.728.
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*This content was translated by AI.
