Watch: Pirates' Gift Ngoepe, MLB's first African-born player, notches first hit

Gift Ngoepe becomes the Majors' first African-born player.

Pittsburgh Pirates shortstop Gift Ngoepe, became the first African-born player in MLB history when he made his debut on Wednesday night.

Ngoepe is from South Africa.

He recorded a hit in his first career at bat.

The Pirates optioned Dovydas Neverauskas, the first Lithuanian to pitch in the Majors, to Triple A in order to make room for Ngoepe on the active roster.

• A gift from Africa - Gary Smith on Ngoepe from 2009

Ngoepe is 27 years old and spent 8 1/2 years with the Pirates organization. He signed in September 2008 and was added to the 40-man roster in November 2015.

He could be a utility infielder with his experience at second and third base. He was hitting .241 in 15 games for Triple A Indianapolis before getting the call up.