Five Days After Being Released, He Was Called Up to the Big Leagues... Ji-hwan Bae, Wearing a Milwaukee Brewers Uniform, Sends a Message with a Surprise Bunt
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- 2026-08-10 19:17:56
- Updated
- 2026-08-10 19:17:56

[Financial News] Five days were enough to turn a release into a comeback story. Ji-hwan Bae (25), who had been pushed to the brink after being notified of his release in the minors, immediately earned a call-up to the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage after finding a new home with the Milwaukee Brewers.
On the 10th (Korean time), Bae appeared in a home game against the Minnesota Twins at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, wearing a Milwaukee Brewers uniform. He collected one hit and delivered a successful return to action.
Bae's recent path had been a roller coaster. On the 5th, he was released by the Triple-A team under the New York Mets organization, and his future in the United States looked bleak. But the Brewers reached out, valuing his speed and his versatility as a utility player who can handle both the infield and outfield.
After signing a minor league deal with Milwaukee, Bae was quickly added to the club's 26-man MLB roster. It marked his return to a Major League Baseball field for the first time this year, after spending four straight seasons in the big leagues with the Pittsburgh Pirates through last year.
Bae made his Milwaukee debut in the top of the seventh inning, entering as a defensive replacement at second base with the game tied 3-3. His real impact came at the plate.

In his first at-bat, with one out in the bottom of the seventh, Bae showed his trademark quick thinking and laid down a surprise bunt toward the first baseman. The perfect placement, combined with his explosive speed, allowed him to reach first safely and record his first MLB hit of the season in a Milwaukee uniform.
In his second at-bat, with no outs and a runner on first in the bottom of the ninth, the Brewers called for a sacrifice bunt.
Bae executed a calm and clean sacrifice bunt, proving his ability to carry out the team's plan. Although the following hitters could not bring him home, his on-base play and advance were exactly what the bench had hoped for. Milwaukee then pulled out a thrilling 4-3 win with a walk-off run in the bottom of the 10th inning.
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