With 1B depth depleted by injuries, Pirates trade with Cleveland for Yu Chang

Kevin Gorman
Sunday, May 29, 2022 5:39 p.m. | Sunday, May 29, 2022 5:39 p.m.

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AP

Cleveland Guardians’ Yu Chang tosses the ball to pitcher Aaron Civale to get Detroit Tigers’ Akil Baddoo out at first base during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Cleveland.

Down to playing a middle infielder at first base because of injuries, the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday acquired Yu Chang from the Cleveland Guardians for cash considerations, a source confirmed to the Tribune-Review.

Chang’s arrival comes after the Pirates placed outfielder Ben Gamel and designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach (left hamstring strains) and first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo (lumbar muscle strain) on the 10-day injured list and Michael Chavis (forearm) remains day to day, forcing Josh VanMeter to play first base against the San Diego Padres.

Chang, 26, played first base, second base, third base and shortstop and slashed .208/.265/.372 with 16 doubles, four triples, 10 home runs and 46 RBIs in 131 games over four seasons with Cleveland. Chang had his best season last year, when the 6-foot-1, 180-pounder from Taiwan played 89 games (including 49 at first base) and batted .228 with a .693 OPS, 14 doubles, three triples, nine homers and 39 RBIs.

Chang, however, had a high strikeout rate (27.5%) in 2021 and struck out seven times in 10 plate appearances this season, when he played only three games before being placed on the covid-19 injured list. He was designated for assignment on Thursday.