Sports Briefs

BASEBALL

Choi aims for MLB debut with Los Angeles Angels

Korean switch hitter Choi Ji-man said on Wednesday that he aims to make his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Los Angeles Angels next season, seeking an end to his six-year minor league career.

“My goal is to focus on every game without getting injured and help our team,” he said in a press conference in Incheon on Wednesday.

After graduating Dongsan High School in Incheon, Choi signed with the Seattle Mariners in 2010, but never made it into the big leagues. Last April, he received a 50-game suspension for doping and earlier this year, he was sidelined after an injury.

Kim, who can play first baseman and outfielder, had a .298 batting average with 16 RBIs in 18 games in the Triple-A this season. He signed a minor league free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles, but he recently moved to the Angels via a “Rule 5 draft,” in which teams can pick players who are not in the 40-man roster.

By JOO KYUNG-DON

FOOTBALL

FIFA looking at introducing video replays for first time

ZURICH - Football’s rule-makers are preparing to trial video replays for the first time.

FIFA says the International Football Association Board (IFAB) will also discuss in January the merits of sin-bins, allowing temporary substitutions for injuries that require “momentary treatment,’’ and a fourth substitute in extra time.

The discussions could lead to rule changes at the main annual IFAB meeting in March.

This year, IFAB ruled out allowing referees to test video replays. But FIFA now says “IFAB has been working on potential scenarios and clear protocols for how it could be tested”. AP