Bae Ji-hwan released by Mets affiliate, MLB comeback hopes fade

South Korean baseball player Bae Ji-hwan's aspirations for a Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the New York Mets organization have been cut short. The Syracuse Mets, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, announced on Tuesday, August 5 (KST), that they have released the 27-year-old infielder.

This release marks a significant setback for Bae, as it effectively closes the door on his immediate prospects of playing in MLB for the Mets. He will now need to find a new team if he wishes to continue pursuing his dream of playing in the major leagues.

Bae Ji-hwan began his professional baseball journey after graduating from Gyeongbuk High School. He signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates in March 2018, embarking on a path that eventually led to his MLB debut in 2022. His time with the Mets organization, though brief at the Triple-A level, was his latest attempt to establish himself in American professional baseball.