Tsung-Che

Cheng

Cheng will return to Triple-A with the Pirates getting Jared Triolo back from the injured list. Cheng, 23, will likely be back as a utility option at some point over the summer.

Triolo is eligible to return from a back injury on Wednesday and could be activated then. Tsung-Che Cheng, who was the callup in his place last week, will probably return to Triple-A.

Cheng did reach on an error, but he was then caught stealing. The 23-year-old shortstop was 1-for-14 for Triple-A Indianapolis before being called up with Jared Triolo hurt. He’ll probably return to the minors later this month, but he could make a couple of more starts before them.

Cheng isn’t in Pittsburgh’s lineup for Monday’s series opener against the Cardinals, but he’s been officially recalled to give the club some extra infield depth with Jared Triolo hurt. He can be safely ignored in most fantasy formats, especially since he’s likely only up for a quick cup of coffee.

Even though Cheng is off to a 1-for-14 start in Triple-A, Liover Peguero is being bypassed as the Pirates’ utilityman with Triolo out. Nick Yorke probably wasn’t considered, since the Pirates wanted someone who could play short.

No real surprises here as Pittsburgh begins to pare down its spring training roster. Ashcraft is the most notable inclusion since he figures to be an option for the Pirates at some point later this season. Valdez could be an option at the keystone if injuries strike at the big-league level.

Smith-Njigba, 24, showed off his tools during Grapefruit League play, hitting .200 (5-for-25) with three homers, five RBI and a pair of stolen bases. His time is coming soon, it just isn’t quite yet. Selby, on the other hand, struggled mightily during his spring action — registering an 11.25 ERA, 2.75 WHIP and a 4/4 K/BB ratio over his four frames. He should see action with the Pirates at some point during the 2024 season as well.

Cheng stumbled after moving up to Double-A last year, hitting .251/.304/.352 in 66 games, but the Pirates still added him to their 40-man roster after the season. He’s one of several potential long-term answers at second base for Pittsburgh, though it’s possible they’ll all get lapped by Termarr Johnson. Cheng shouldn’t be a factor this year.

The 22-year-old shortstop had a terrific 2023 season between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona, slashing .278/.353/.456 with 13 homers, 56 RBI, 26 stolen bases (in 38 attempts) and a 100/52 K/BB ratio across 535 plate appearances. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him make his big league debut with the Pirates during the 2024 campaign.

That’s as good as a win for Pittsburgh. The 20-year-old Cheng is just 5-foot-7, but he launched his homer 394 feet off Anthony Castro today. As a left-handed hitter with a tiny strikeout rate and versatility throughout the infield, he’s a fun prospect, even if he is at least a couple of years away.