Chicago Police Investigate Pirates Player in Alleged Sexual Assault

Chicago police are investigating a Pittsburgh Pirates player after a woman claimed he sexually assaulted her when the team was in Chicago in June, authorities confirmed. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates said in a statement Tuesday that they had "been made aware" of an allegation against infielder Jung Ho Kang. 

"We take allegations of this type extremely seriously," Pirates President Frank Coonelly said in a statement. "Pursuant to the Joint MLB/MLBPA Policy on such matters, this matter is exclusively before the Commissioner's Office at this time. We have and will continue to cooperate fully with the Commissioner's Office. As a result of the ongoing police investigation, we cannot comment further at this time. We have also advised our staff and our players that they should not comment on the matter either. We all need to be respectful to the police investigation of a very serious allegation."

No charges have been filed and the investigation is ongoing, according to police.

Authorities said the Chicago woman told police she met Kang, 29, through location-based dating app Bumble.

Police said he allegedly invited the 23-year-old woman to his room at the Westin Hotel on Michigan Ave on June 17 after the Pirates played the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

She told investigators she arrived at his room at approximately 10 p.m., and he allegedly served her a drink, authorities confirmed.

According to police, she said she blacked out about 15 to 20 minutes later, and drifted in and out of consciousness while Kang allegedly assaulted her.

She told police she was not fully conscious until she was in a taxi on the way home, authorities said.

She had a rape kit examination at Northwestern Memorial Hospital on June 19, according to police. The results of the rape kit were not immediately known. 

"Our understanding is that police in Chicago are investigating this very serious matter," MLB said in a statement, according to the Chicago Tribune.

"Major League Baseball will monitor the progress of this investigation closely and will respond fully as additional facts emerge."