The Pirates announced Thursday infielder Jung Ho Kang will begin a minor-league assignment. He'll start off playing games for Pittsburgh's Class-A Advanced team in Bradenton on Friday, according to MLB.com's Adam Berry.

Kang has spent the past four weeks working out and appearing in extended spring training at the Pirates' complex in Florida. He hasn't played in a major-league game for the franchise since 2016.

The 31-year-old missed the entire 2017 season following a third DUI arrest in South Korea in December 2016.

Related: 'Grateful' for 2nd chance, Kang apologizes as he prepares to rejoin Pirates

Kang played in the Dominican Winter League at the end of 2017, but was released by his team after hitting just .143 with 31 strikeouts in 24 games.

Prior to his legal issues, Kang was a reliable member of the Pirates offense, hitting 273/.355/.483 with 36 home runs and 120 RBIs in 229 games.

He finished third in NL Rookie of the Year voting in 2015.