Seoul - South Korean baseball player Park Hoy-jun is among the non-roster invitees for the Oakland Athletics' spring training, presenting him with an opportunity to return to Major League Baseball (MLB). The Athletics announced their list of 22 non-roster invitees on Wednesday (U.S. local time), including Park, who earlier this month signed a minor league deal with the team. These invites are extended to players not on a team's 40-man roster, giving them the chance to secure a place on the team through spring training and exhibition games.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Park, 27, chose free agency after spending the 2023 season with the Gwinnett Stripers, the Atlanta Braves' Triple-A club. He showcased his versatility by playing second base, third base, and right field, and posted a batting average of .262 with six home runs and 42 RBIs in 101 games. Park's previous MLB experience includes brief stints with the New York Yankees and the Pittsburgh Pirates. He played 23 major league games for the Pirates in 2022, before being traded to the Boston Red Sox and then moving to the Braves. The Oakland Athletics are now offering Park a chance to play in MLB again in the upcoming season.