Free-agent first baseman Ji Man Choi signed a split contract with the New York Mets on Friday that is worth up to $3.5 million, including performance-based bonuses if he makes the Opening Day roster. The deal includes an invite to spring training. The 32-year-old left-handed-hitting South Korean started the 2023 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates before being traded to the San Diego Padres. In only 39 games in all, he hit a weak .163/.239/.385 with six home runs, 13 RBI and 12 runs scored in 117 plate appearances. If Choi makes the Mets' major-league roster, which is probably unlikely, he'll be a backup option at first base behind All-Star Pete Alonso and a left-handed bat off the bench against righties. In eight seasons in the majors, Choi has a career slash line of .234/.338/.426 with 67 homers and 238 RBI in 525 games played. He's not on the fantasy radar.
San Diego Padres first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi (ribs, foot) was rehabbing with Triple-A El Paso when he sustained a right Lisfranc injury. The ailment will likely end his season, and his rehab assignment will stop for now. Choi has only played in 30 games this year split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Padres, thanks to an Achilles and rib injury. The 32-year-old wasn't producing when he was on the field, as he slashed .179/.239/.440 with six homers, 12 runs, 11 RBI, and no steals. If fantasy managers haven't already, they should drop Choi in virtually every format.
San Diego Padres first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi (ribs) has begun a swinging progression, according to MLB.com, and is looking to return from the injured list by mid-September. The 32-year-old hit the shelf after straining his rib cage earlier this month. Choi has only appeared in 30 contests this season, split between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Padres, as he began the season dealing with an Achilles issue. Over 84 at-bats, the eight-year vet owns a .179/.239/.440 slash line with six homers, 12 runs, and 11 RBI. There's no need for fantasy managers to stash Choi in any mixed-league format.
The San Diego Padres placed first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi (ribs) on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left rib cage strain. The move is retroactive to August 12, when he sustained the injury while taking swings. Outfielder Ben Gamel's contract was selected from Triple-A El Paso in a corresponding move. Choi had provided a bit of power but not much else this season, slashing .179/.239/.440 in 92 plate appearances. While Gamel has been performing well at Triple-A, neither player is fantasy relevant at this time.
San Diego Padres first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi is not in the starting lineup for Tuesday's contest with Logan Gilbert and the Seattle Mariners. Choi only has 27 games under his belt this season due to injury, and he's struggled, batting .185 with a .687 OPS. Garrett Cooper will take over instead at DH and bat eighth. A deadline acquisition, the 32-year-old owns pretty boring numbers, as he's slashing .256/.296/.424 with 13 bombs, 29 runs, and 46 RBI through 84 games. That's fine production for fantasy managers just looking for a short-term, plug-in option, as Cooper really only hurts the stolen base category.
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ji Man Choi (Achilles) began his rehab assignment and has played in four games thus far. He hasn't experienced any issues and could be activated before the end of the month. Choi has only appeared in nine games in 2023 at the big league level, as he's been dealing with an Achilles injury that he suffered in spring training. The 32-year-old was hitting .125 with two bombs, three runs, and two RBI before the ailment. Fantasy managers in deep and OBP formats can pick up Choi for some first-base help.
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ji Man Choi (Achilles) began his rehab assignment Thursday with Double-A Altoona and went 1-for-2 with a double. The eight-year veteran has only played in nine games at the big league level this year after he tweaked his Achilles in spring training, and it eventually landed him on the injured list in early April. Choi is expected to be back in June and would likely take Carlos Santana's job at first base, who's slashing just .227/.312/.372. The 32-year-old has limited value in standard leagues as he's a career .237 hitter with some power, but he's a strong player in OBP leagues, considering his career 13.2% walk rate and .341 OBP.
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Ji Man Choi (Achilles) is doing light baseball activities, including some throwing and hitting, according to director of sports medicine Todd Tomczyk. Choi is finally starting to do some baseball activities, but he's still about halfway through an eight-week timetable. The 31-year-old left-handed slugger probably won't be able to return to Pittsburgh's lineup until sometime in July. He played in just nine games before getting hurt and had gone just 4-for-32 (.125) with a double, two home runs, two RBI and 15 strikeouts. When he's healthy enough to return, he'll be hoping to steal playing time at first base from regular Carlos Santana.
Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Ji Man Choi (Achilles) was transferred to the 60-day injured list on Sunday. The 31-year-old had battled a left Achilles strain since spring training but tried to play through it. However, he's now expected to be out for eight weeks. Fortunately, Choi won't need surgery. Instead, he'll spend his time away resting and rehabbing while wearing a walking boot. The veteran, who was acquired from Tampa Bay in November, was batting .125 with two home runs and two RBI before going on the shelf, so his absence won't impact many fantasy managers. In a corresponding move, Drew Maggi was called up from Double-A.
Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi (Achilles) landed on the 10-day injured list on Saturday, retroactive to April 14. The 31-year-old has struggled this season, batting a miserable .125 with four hits, two RBI, and two home runs while striking out 15 times. Hopefully, his stint on the IL will allow his nagging Achilles strain to heal. But until Choi is ready to return, Carlos Santana will spend the most time at first, with Connor Joe also getting involved.
