The Boston Red Sox are preparing for life without Trevor Story to begin the 2023 season.
The Red Sox signed infielder Yu Chang to a one-year contract Thursday, placing Story on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move.
Chang spent time with four different teams in 2022 but finished the campaign with the Red Sox, who claimed him off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays on Sept. 12. The Taiwan native hit .150 over 11 games with Boston down the stretch before hitting free agency again this offseason.
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The 27-year-old infielder, who spent his first three MLB seasons with the Cleveland Guardians, gives Boston a little extra depth at shortstop and second base in the absence of Story, who underwent surgery on his right elbow on Jan. 10 that's expected to sideline him several months.
As of now, the Red Sox are rolling with Kiké Hernandez at shortstop and Christian Arroyo at second base, with the recently-added Adalberto Mondesi joining Chang and minor leaguer Niko Goodrum as potential depth pieces.
Story guaranteed a return to Boston's lineup at some point this season, but in the meantime, the Red Sox may have to piece it together up the middle, with Chang giving manager Alex Cora another option to work with.