Pirates infielder Kang speaks to reporters following sex assault allegations

CHICAGO — Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang spoke to local reporters briefly Friday, days after allegations of sexual assault surfaced.

Kang spoke with reporters before Friday's game at PNC Park. The Pirates have been out of town since the allegations were reported by the

earlier this week.

Through his interpreter, Kang said he could not comment directly on matters involving the investigation. He said he's just thinking baseball right now.

"I'm doing the same thing I've been doing everyday," said Kang. "Same mindset, same process. All my focus is on helping the team win."

The allegations stem from an alleged encounter on June 17 at 10 p.m. between Kang and a woman he met through a dating app during a team road trip to Chicago.

Pirates president Frank Coonelly released the following statement:

“We have been made aware of the allegation that has been made against Jung Ho Kang. We take allegations of this type extremely seriously. Pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy on such matters, this matter is exclusively before the Commissioner’s Office at this time. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the Commissioner’s Office. As a result of the ongoing police investigation, we cannot comment further at this time. We have also advised our staff and our players that they should not comment on the matter either. We all need to be respectful to the police investigation of a very serious allegation.”

The newspaper reports, no charges were filed.

MLB also released a statement:

"We recently learned of the allegation against Jung Ho Kang.  Our understanding is that police in Chicago are investigating this very serious matter.  Major League Baseball will monitor the progress of this investigation closely and will respond fully as additional facts emerge."

Cox Media Group