The eldest member of the Korean Beast Major League Baseball family, Choi Ji-Man (32, San Diego Padres), is set to record his first at-bat since being traded.안전놀이터
Choi was named to the starting lineup as the No. 7 designated hitter for the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Wednesday (KST). Teammate Kim Ha-seong will start alongside him at first and second base.
Choi, who came to San Diego from the Pittsburgh Pirates via trade on Feb. 2, has yet to record a hit in six games and 14 at-bats since joining the team (nine at-bats without a hit). He’s drawn five walks and scored three runs with his trademark leadoff hit, but his bat is still quiet.
Choi, who operates in a platoon system, will get a chance to play with Arizona starting right-hander Rein Nelson (6-6, 5.16 ERA). Choi has good memories of his last game with Pittsburgh, when he went 2-for-4 with a home run (his third of the season), two doubles, two RBIs and one run scored against Arizona on July 10.
Meanwhile, San Diego, looking to end a four-game losing streak, lined up with Kim Ha-seong (second base), Fernando Tatis Jr. (right field), Juan Soto (left field), Manny Machado (third base), Zander Bogaerts (shortstop), Jake Cronenweth (first base), Choi Ji-won (designated hitter), Gary Sanchez (catcher), and Trent Grisham (center field). In the leadoff spot, Kim Ha-seong will look to extend his hitting streak to 16 games. The starting pitcher will be “Ace” Blake Snell (8-8 with a 2.61 ERA).
Arizona, mired in an eight-game losing streak, goes with Ketel Marte (second base), Corbin Carroll (center field), Tommy Pham (designated hitter), Christian Walker (first base), Rueredes Gurriel Jr. (left field), Emmanuel Rivera (third base), Jake McCarty (right field), Nick Ahmed (shortstop) and Carson Kelly (catcher), with Rein Nelson starting.