Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (hand) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Tuesday against the Boston Red Sox and is starting in left field and batting leadoff. Bae suffered a jammed right ring finger in the spring training game on Sunday while sliding into third base and was given the day off on Monday to rest. The 25-year-old is fine now and will continue his competition with the likes of Jack Suwinski, DJ Stewart, Joshua Palacios, Nick Solak and Billy Cook for the fourth and fifth outfield spots to open the regular season in Pittsburgh. He's doing his part early in spring training, going 3-for-8 with a double and a run scored in five games. Bae has elite speed (33 steals in three MLB seasons), but he's also hit an underwhelming .231/.296/.304 with two homers in 150 career big-league games. The fact he has minor-league options remaining could mean he'll be starting the year at Triple-A Indianapolis.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (hand) suffered a minor hand injury when sliding into third base on Sunday. However, Andrew Destin of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that Bae is "fine." Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status as the team may hold him out of action for a few games to start the week. Last season, the 25-year-old held a .189/.247/.216 slash line with just two extra-base hits in the major leagues. He held a high 29.6 percent strikeout rate but did swipe six bags. In 2023, Bae logged a career-high 111 starts in the majors and posted a .213/.296/.311 line with two home runs and 24 stolen bases. When cleared to return, fantasy managers should expect Bae to compete for a depth role in the Pittsburgh outfield.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (knee) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Sunday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He'll make his return to the lineup after missing four games due to knee soreness. He'll bat seventh and cover center field versus right-hander Ryne Nelson. Bae has been quiet with the bat during his 13 games with the team. Fantasy managers should be able to find better production elsewhere.

The Pittsburgh Pirates recalled infielder/outfielder Ji Hwan Bae from Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday and optioned right-hander Ryder Ryan to Indianapolis in a corresponding move. Bae has earned the call-up to Pittsburgh by dominating Triple-A pitching to the tune of a .367/.479/.551 slash line with a 1.030 OPS, four home runs, 15 RBI, seven stolen bases and 23 runs scored in 27 games on the farm. The 24-year-old South Korean will essentially serve as a super-utility player for the Pirates, as he played center field, left field and second base for Indianapolis. Bae made his major-league debut for the Bucs in 2022 and has played in 121 games the previous two years, hitting .240 (88-for-367) with two homers, 38 RBI and 27 stolen bases. His speed will mainly be attractive for fantasy managers in NL-only leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates rookie outfielder Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) took ground balls on Wednesday and is playing catch. The Pirates expect that he will begin a minor-league rehab assignment when the team returns from its West-Coast road trip. The 23-year-old was injured on July 1 and was hitting only .238 (51-for-214) with two home runs, nine doubles, 19 RBI and 37 runs scored in 239 plate appearances and 76 games, but he's also stolen 20 bases. Barring a setback with his sprained left ankle, Bae should be back with the Pirates in early August. Because of his speed alone, he deserves to remain stashed in deeper fantasy leagues.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Ji Hwan Bae (ankle) is available off the bench for Saturday's game against the Toronto Blue Jays. Bae suffered a minor ankle injury during Friday's contest. The Pirates will give him an additional day off on Saturday to recover. However, Bae could come off the bench to bat or pinch-run if needed. The 23-year-old is hitting .244 with two home runs and nine RBI with 14 stolen bases in 24 games. He should be back in the lineup within the next few days.

Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Ji-Hwan Bae has been recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis on Friday. The 23-year-old is hitting .289/.362/.430 with eight home runs and 30 stolen bases in Triple-A this season. Clearly, Bae is ready for the next level and his ability to play multiple positions should be an asset. While in the minors, Bae played second base, third base, shortstop, center field and left field. The expectation is that Bae will have regular playing time down the stretch of the season in Pittsburgh. Fantasy managers in deep leagues should take a look at him.