Yu

Chang

The injury effectively takes Chang out of the running for a bench spot on Tampa Bay’s season-opening roster. The 28-year-old infielder will open the year at Triple-A Durham with the hope of making it back to the big leagues.

The 28-year-old was brought in on a minor league contract to compete for a job in spring training, and this is certainly going to hurt his chances of making the team. He was injured often in 2023 as well as was limited to just 39 games with the Red Sox before being released.

There isn’t much of a path for Chang to collect regular at-bats in Tampa Bay with Brandon Lowe, José Caballero and Taylor Walls figuring to see the majority of the at-bats between shortstop and second base this upcoming season. It’s also only a matter of time before top prospect Junior Caminero is back in the big leagues for good. The 28-year-old infielder could carve out a role as a versatile utility specialist and represents solid organizational depth for the Rays heading into 2024.

Chang is among the most-notable handful of minor leaguers to elect free agency after finishing the 2023 season at Triple-A Worcester. The 28-year-old middle infielder was snake-bitten by injuries this season and wound up being limited to just 39 games before being jettisoned from Boston’s 40-man roster.

It’s a bit surprising Chang went unclaimed on waivers after being designated for assignment last week by the Red Sox. The 27-year-old infielder has the ability to elect free agency, but will likely wind up sticking around as extra infield depth in case something happens to either Trevor Story or Pablo Reyes. He’s been limited to just 39 games this season due to injury.

Chang has been jettisoned from Boston’s 40-man roster to make room for shortstop Trevor Story to return from the 60-day injured list for Tuesday’s contest against the Royals. The 27-year-old shortstop missed a ton of time due to a hamate injury and wound up appearing in just 39 games this season for the Red Sox. His departure means that Pablo Reyes will stick around in a utility infielder role.

The 30-year-old told reporters that he didn’t want to return to the Red Sox until he was feeling 100%. It is great to see him collect two hits while playing shortstop before he was lifted in the bottom of the eighth inning. When he returns, the Red Sox face a tough decision as they need to clear a spot on the active roster, which means that either Yu Chang or Pablo Reyes will lose their spot on the active roster.

Since returning from the injured list, Chang has started three of the Red Sox’ four contests at shortstop, but he’ll take a seat in this one with right-hander Marcus Stroman taking the hill for the Cubs. Enrique Hernandez will cover shortstop and bat ninth for the Red Sox on Saturday.

Chang will return as Boston’s primary shortstop for Friday’s series opener against the Athletics after missing more than two months after undergoing surgery to repair a hamate fracture in his left wrist.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters on Thursday that Chang’s return is being pushed back a few days. The expectation earlier this week was that he could return on Thursday or Friday. He’s expected to take over as Boston’s primary shortstop once he’s officially activated.