Cheng is out of the lineup for Thursday's game against the White Sox.
The left-handed-hitting Cheng will hit the bench for the second time in the series, with both of his absences coming against lefty starters. Andruw Monasterio will receive the starting nod at shortstop, where he and Cheng appear likely to be used in a platoon until Trevor Story (sports hernia) or Marcelo Mayer (forearm) return from the injured list.
... See More... See Less
Red Sox's Tsung-Che Cheng: Hitting bench Wednesday
Rotowire
Cheng is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Nationals.
Cheng started at shortstop in each of the last five games following his call-up from Triple-A Worcester last Friday, going 2-for-15 with a double, a walk and a run. He'll cede shortstop to Andruw Monasterio while southpaw Andrew Alvarez works as a primary pitcher for Washington, but the left-handed-hitting Cheng could continue to handle a strong-side platoon role at the position while all of Trevor Story (sports hernia), Marcelo Mayer (forearm) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (forearm) are on the shelf.
... See More... See Less
Nationals' Tsung-Che Cheng: Scooped on waivers by Nationals
Rotowire
The Nationals claimed Cheng off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday.
It's the fourth organization that Cheng has been in this offseason. Cheng batted only .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization last season and went hitless in seven plate appearances with the big club. The 24-year-old will compete for a reserve role with the Nationals but does have minor-league options remaining.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Tsung-Che Cheng: DFA'd by Mets
Rotowire
The Mets designated Cheng for assignment Wednesday.
The move frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the signing of Luis Garcia. Cheng -- who was a waiver claim of the Mets just last week -- slashed only .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis in the Pirates organization in 2025. He could remain in the Mets organization if he passes through waivers unclaimed.
... See More... See Less
Mets' Tsung-Che Cheng: Grabbed on waivers by Mets
Rotowire
The Mets claimed Cheng off waivers from the Rays on Friday.
It's already the third organization Cheng has been with this month as he bounces around via waivers. The 24-year-old slashed just .209/.307/.271 at Triple-A Indianapolis and went hitless in a brief stint with the Pirates last season, but the Mets felt Cheng was a worthy infield depth addition.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng: Set to join big club
Rotowire
The Pirates are expected to promote Cheng from Triple-A Indianapolis ahead of Monday's game against the Cardinals, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.
He'll be joining the 26-man active roster as a replacement for infielder Jared Triolo (back), who is headed for the 10-day injured list. Cheng, 23, produced a .225/.329/.347 slash line to go with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases in 132 games between Triple-A and Double-A Altoona in 2024. He's gotten off to a poor start to 2025 at Indianapolis by going 1-for-14 with eight strikeouts, so the Pirates aren't likely to hand him meaningful playing time right off the bat. His main value to the Pirates will come from his ability to play three infield spots (second base, third base and shortstop).
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng: Sent to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Cheng to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.
The 23-year-old had a strong showing in big-league camp with a 1.178 OPS in 12 spring games, but he'll begin the campaign at the Triple-A level. Cheng received a promotion to Indianapolis late last season but spent most of the year at Double-A Altoona, where he had a .218/.320/.341 slash line in 126 contests.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng: Sent down to Double-A
Rotowire
The Pirates optioned Cheng to Double-A Altoona on Tuesday.
Cheng earned a spot on the Pirates' 40-man roster earlier this offseason but was always destined to return to the minors to begin 2024. The 22-year-old is probably another year or so away from reaching the big leagues.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng: Promoted to Double-A
Rotowire
Cheng was promoted to Double-A Altoona on Thursday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.
Cheng had a dominant 57-game run for High-A Greensboro, slashing .308/.406/.575 with nine home runs, 13 steals and a 47:35 K:BB in 254 plate appearances. Trimming his groundball rate to 42.1 percent and upping his flyball rate from 28.9% to 34.1% has helped fuel Cheng's improvement as a power hitter. The 5-foot-7 infielder fits best at second base long term.
... See More... See Less
Pirates' Tsung-Che Cheng: Lifting, pulling at High-A
Rotowire
Cheng has a .262/.382/.524 slash line with four home runs, nine steals and an 18.5 percent strikeout rate in 29 games for High-A Greensboro.
The 5-foot-7 infielder has split time evenly at shortstop and second base for the Grasshoppers, and his likely long-term home is the keystone. Cheng's command of the strike zone has been impeccable dating back to 2021 when he was in complex ball, but this power output is unexpected for the 21-year-old. He has the highest pull (46.9 percent) and flyball (37.2 percent) rates of his career.
