Tsung-Che Cheng - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Pushed off 40-man The Pirates designated Cheng for assignment Friday, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact The Pirates needed to clear some roster space after bringing in three players via a three-team trade with Houston and Tampa Bay on Friday, and Cheng will end up as one of the casualties. The 24-year-old infielder made his MLB debut near the beginning of the season, going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts before being sent back to the minors. He didn't fare well at the plate in Triple-A either, slashing .209/.310/.271 with 36 RBI, 37 runs scored and 18 steals across 398 plate appearances at Indianapolis.

DECEMBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Optioned to Triple-A The Pirates optioned Cheng to Triple-A Indianapolis on Wednesday, Alex Stumpf of MLB.com reports.

Impact Cheng was with the big club for a little over a week and didn't play much, going hitless in seven at-bats. He's clearing out to make room on the roster for Jared Triolo's (back) return from the 10-day injured list.

APRIL 16 • ROTOWIRE

Hunter Greene pitches 7 crisp innings as the Reds blank the Pirates 4-0

Hunter Greene pitched seven sparkling innings, and the Cincinnati Reds completed a three-game sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates with a 4-0 victory

APRIL 13 • Associated Press

Joey Bart singles in 13th to give Pirates 2-1 win over Cardinals despite 6 hitless from Fedde

Joey Bart singled in the winning run with the bases loaded in the 13th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 2-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals despite six hitless innings from...

APRIL 9 • Associated Press

Promotion official The Pirates recalled Cheng from Triple-A Indianapolis on Monday.

Impact Cheng will head to the big leagues for the first time, joining the Pirates as a replacement for utility man Jared Triolo (back), who was placed on the injured list. The 23-year-old is capable of playing second base, third base and shortstop, but he's not included in the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals and may not be in store for regular playing time during his stint with the big club.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Set to join big club 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.

Impact 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).

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Sent to Triple-A The Pirates optioned Cheng to Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday.

Impact 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.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Promoted to Double-A Cheng was promoted to Double-A Altoona on Thursday, Sam Dykstra of MiLB.com reports.

Impact 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.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Lifting, pulling at High-A 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.

Impact 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.

MAY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE