South Korean utility participant Bae Ji-hwan has reportedly been claimed off waivers by the New York Mets.
Citing a number of sources, MLB.com reported Thursday (U.S. native time) that the Mets picked Bae off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates, who had taken him off their 40-man roster two days earlier.
Bae, 26, provides velocity and defensive versatility. He has performed all three outfield positions within the majors and has additionally logged video games at second base and shortstop.
Nevertheless, he has struggled to hit on the big-league stage since making his debut with the Pirates in 2022. He has a profession line of .223/.294/.293 in 163 video games.
In 2025, Bae performed solely 13 video games within the majors and recorded one hit in 20 at-bats with 9 strikeouts.
Bae made the Pirates’ Opening Day roster in March after main the crew with 16 hits and 13 runs scored in spring coaching. However he was despatched all the way down to the minors in early April after which spent every week within the majors after getting recalled in early Could.
He stayed within the minors over the subsequent 4 months earlier than being introduced again as much as the majors on Sept. 7. Nevertheless, that stint solely lasted every week, as Bae went 0-for-9 with 4 strikeouts in six video games.
Bae has carried out a lot better within the minors, with an .805 on-base plus slugging (OPS) with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025 and a profession .819 mark over seven minor league seasons.
Per MLB.com, Bae will be an possibility in heart area for the Mets. Their solely different pure heart fielder is Tyrone Taylor, who solely put up a .598 OPS this previous season and is taken into account a non-tender candidate.
