The Milwaukee Brewers, leading the National League Central division (74 wins, 44 losses, .627 winning percentage), have bolstered their infield amid injuries by acquiring Bae Ji-hwan. His defensive versatility—capable of playing multiple infield and outfield positions including second base—along with his speed on the basepaths is expected to serve as a crucial asset for Milwaukee in the midst of a pennant race.

Dramatic Turnaround: Released by Mets, Immediately Headed to Milwaukee Bae Ji-hwan had recently been playing for the Syracuse Mets, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets, but was designated for assignment on the 5th without receiving a call-up to the big leagues. After becoming a free agent, he was searching for a new team when Milwaukee faced an infield void due to infielder Cooper Pratt's right hamstring injury and starting shortstop Joey Ortiz's neck discomfort, leading to the signing.

On the very day he signed a minor league contract, Bae experienced a dramatic reversal by being immediately added to Milwaukee's 26-man major league roster. To make room on the 40-man roster, Milwaukee designated left-handed pitcher Drew Rom for assignment.

MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR), a media outlet specializing in MLB transactions, reported that Milwaukee acquired Bae Ji-hwan alongside placing Pratt on the injured list. The explanation was that Bae, who can play both infield and outfield positions, was chosen to fill the gap left by Pratt.

Proves His Worth with a Bunt Hit in First At-Bat In his first game following the trade, Bae Ji-hwan immediately made his presence felt. On the 10th (Korean time), in a home game against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he entered the game as a defensive substitution at second base starting in the top of the seventh inning.

In his first at-bat in the bottom of the seventh, Bae laid down a surprise bunt toward first base against Minnesota left-handed reliever A.J. Minter and reached first safely with his speed, recording a hit. It was an impressive moment he created with just a single pitch in his first at-bat wearing a Milwaukee uniform.

He later advanced to second on David Hamilton's sacrifice bunt, but failed to score due to a lack of follow-up hits. The game headed into extra innings tied 3-3, and in the bottom of the 10th, Jake Bauers delivered a walk-off single to left field, giving Milwaukee a 4-3 victory.

Bae Ji-hwan announced his return to the big leagues in his first game with the team's dramatic victory. Just days earlier, he had been released from Triple-A and was in need of a new team. Thanks to the unexpected variable of injuries in Milwaukee's infield, he experienced a reversal of fortune—joining the major league roster simultaneously with his minor league contract—and left a strong impression by recording a hit in his very first at-bat after being inserted into the game on the day of his signing.

Photo = Milwaukee Brewers / Yonhap News