Bats silent in San Diego uniform…’Designated hitter’ Choi tries for first hit vs. Arizona

The eldest member of the Korean Beast Major League Baseball family, Choi Ji-Man (32, San Diego Padres), is set to record his first hit since joining the team.안전놀이터

Choi has been named in the starting line-up as the No. 7 designated hitter for the 2023 Major League Baseball Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, USA, on 12 December (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 the 2nd, has yet to record a hit (9-for-14) in six games since joining the team. He has drawn five walks and scored three runs with his trademark leadoff approach, but his bat is still quiet.

Choi, who uses the 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 time with Pittsburgh, going 2-for-4 with a home run (his third of the season), two doubles, two RBIs and one run scored against Arizona on 10 July.

San Diego’s Korean big league duo of Kim Ha-seong and Choi Ji-man / Getty Images Korea

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), Xander Bogaerts (shortstop), Jake Cronenweth (first base), Choi Ji-won (designated hitter), Gary Sanchez (catcher) and Trent Grisham (centre field). In the leadoff spot, Kim Ha-seong will attempt 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, has a batting order of Ketel Marte (second base), Corbin Carroll (centre 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.