{"id":149858,"date":"2026-02-07T08:14:57","date_gmt":"2026-02-07T08:14:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858"},"modified":"2026-02-07T08:14:57","modified_gmt":"2026-02-07T08:14:57","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8breaking-boston-red-sox-claim-taiwanese-infielder-off-waivers-from-washington-nationals-in-a-strategic-move-the-sox-are-adding-a-promising-talent-to-their-infield-bringing-in-fresh-int","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

Boston Red Sox Claim Taiwanese Infielder Off Waivers From Washington Nationals<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Red<\/p>\n

In a fast-paced and ever-changing MLB offseason, the Boston Red Sox<\/strong> have made yet another move to strengthen their infield as they prepare for the 2026 season. This time, it\u2019s the Taiwanese shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng<\/strong>, who was claimed off waivers from the Washington Nationals<\/strong> this past Friday. Cheng\u2019s acquisition adds another layer of versatility to the Red Sox roster, as the team continues to address its infield depth heading into spring training.<\/p>\n

While the move might not have the same headline-grabbing allure as the acquisitions of high-profile stars, it\u2019s another example of how the Red Sox are strategically addressing<\/em> their roster concerns in the final stretch before the season begins. In this article, we\u2019ll dive deeper into Cheng\u2019s journey<\/strong>, his potential impact on the Red Sox, and what this move means for the team’s overall infield situation in 2026.<\/p>\n

\n

Red Sox\u2019s Continued Focus on Infield Depth<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Red<\/p>\n

Earlier this week, the Red Sox added another key player to their infield by signing Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/strong> to a one-year, $6 million contract<\/strong>. Kiner-Falefa, known for his ability to play multiple positions, bolstered the team\u2019s defensive flexibility. His signing, along with the recent claim of Cheng, signals the Red Sox\u2019s continued focus on building depth<\/strong> across the infield\u2014an area that proved to be problematic in the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

Despite the Kiner-Falefa move, the Red Sox had an open spot on the 40-man roster. With just under a week left before pitchers and catchers report to the team\u2019s spring training complex<\/strong> in Fort Myers, Florida<\/strong>, it was clear that Boston needed to fill that spot. The team\u2019s solution: adding Cheng from the Washington Nationals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

Cheng\u2019s Rollercoaster Offseason<\/strong><\/p>\n

For Tsung-Che Cheng<\/strong>, this offseason has been a whirlwind, with him now joining his fifth team<\/strong> since December 2025<\/strong>. His journey this offseason paints a picture of how quickly things can change for a player in the MLB, especially when the roster churn is as intense as it\u2019s been for Cheng.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a brief rundown of Cheng\u2019s offseason:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • \n

    December 19, 2025<\/strong>: Cheng was designated for assignment by the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    January 7, 2026<\/strong>: The Tampa Bay Rays<\/strong> claimed Cheng off waivers, but just days later, he was DFA’d<\/strong> by Tampa Bay on January 12<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    January 16, 2026<\/strong>: The New York Mets<\/strong> claimed Cheng, only to DFA him on January 21<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • \n

    January 28, 2026<\/strong>: The Washington Nationals<\/strong> claimed Cheng, but he was designated for assignment again on January 30<\/strong>, just two days after his arrival.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Now, just days later, Cheng finds himself heading to Boston<\/strong> as the Red Sox\u2019s latest infield acquisition.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Cheng\u2019s MLB Experience: A Rough Start but Room to Grow<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Boston<\/p>\n

    Cheng, a 24-year-old infielder<\/strong>, has had a limited presence in the MLB so far, with his major league debut<\/strong> coming in the 2025 season. During his brief time in the big leagues, he collected seven at-bats<\/strong> over three games, where he struggled significantly. Cheng failed to register a hit<\/strong>, striking out three times<\/strong> during his short stint.<\/p>\n

    However, this limited exposure hardly tells the whole story of Cheng\u2019s potential. In the minors<\/strong>, he showcased flashes of the talent that has kept him in demand across multiple organizations.<\/p>\n

    In 2025<\/strong>, Cheng spent the majority of his time at Single-A<\/strong> and Triple-A<\/strong>, slashing .207\/.305\/.267<\/strong> with a .572 OPS<\/strong>. His power numbers were modest, with 12 doubles<\/strong>, three triples<\/strong>, and just one home run<\/strong>. Still, his 20 stolen bases<\/strong> out of 28 attempts<\/strong> demonstrate his ability to contribute on the base paths, something that teams value highly in a utility infielder.<\/p>\n

    But it\u2019s his 2023 season<\/strong> in the Pirates\u2019 High-A<\/strong> and Double-A<\/strong> affiliates where Cheng truly flashed his potential. He slashed an impressive .278\/.352\/.456<\/strong> with a solid .808 OPS<\/strong>, racking up 23 doubles<\/strong>, 10 triples<\/strong>, and 13 homers<\/strong>. He also drove in 56 RBIs<\/strong> and displayed solid plate discipline with a 10.5% walk rate<\/strong>. The promise he showed that season made him a highly coveted prospect, and despite his struggles in the majors, the Red Sox<\/strong> will be hoping they can help him tap into that upside.<\/p>\n

    \n

    What Cheng Brings to the Red Sox<\/strong><\/p>\n

    The Red Sox\u2019s acquisition of Cheng isn\u2019t just about adding depth; it\u2019s about versatility<\/strong>. Cheng is a player who can play multiple infield positions, giving manager Alex Cora<\/strong> the flexibility to move him around the diamond as needed. While his defense is still a work in progress, his ability to provide depth at shortstop<\/strong> and second base<\/strong> could prove invaluable over the course of a long season.<\/p>\n

    One of the most appealing aspects of Cheng\u2019s skill set is his speed<\/strong>. With 20 stolen bases<\/strong> in the minors last year, he has the potential to make an impact as a base-stealer\u2014a skill that could be especially useful in a pinch-running role. If he can improve upon his offensive consistency, his all-around game could make him a valuable asset for Boston in 2026.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Boston\u2019s Infield Needs Heading Into 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n

    As the Red Sox<\/strong> head into the 2026 season, their infield remains one of the team\u2019s primary areas of focus. After missing out on Alex Bregman<\/strong> and Bo Bichette<\/strong> this offseason\u2014both of whom signed with the Chicago Cubs<\/strong> and New York Mets<\/strong>, respectively\u2014the team has worked to ensure they have adequate depth heading into the season. While their focus has been on the infield<\/strong>, Boston’s efforts to bolster their roster depth<\/strong> have been strategic, filling key gaps that were evident in the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

    With the addition of Isiah Kiner-Falefa<\/strong>, the Red Sox infield now boasts added versatility, and Cheng\u2019s arrival further solidifies their depth. As the season progresses, it will be important to monitor how these players fit into Boston\u2019s lineup and whether Cheng can carve out a regular role on the team.<\/p>\n

    \n

    Cheng\u2019s Future in Boston<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \"Washington<\/p>\n

    As the Red Sox<\/strong> finalize their preparations for the 2026 season, the team will be hoping that the addition of Tsung-Che Cheng<\/strong> brings a much-needed spark to their infield depth. While it remains to be seen how much playing time he will get in Boston<\/strong>, the Red Sox\u2019s ability to find hidden gems<\/strong> like Cheng could prove to be a turning point for a franchise that is always looking to return to World Series glory<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

    Cheng\u2019s journey through multiple organizations this offseason highlights how quickly fortunes can change in the MLB. Whether he becomes a consistent contributor or simply provides depth in the minors, his story is a reminder that every player\u2019s journey<\/strong> can take unexpected turns, and this next chapter could be pivotal for his career.<\/p>\n

    \n

    As the season gets underway, Red Sox fans<\/strong> will have their eyes on how Tsung-Che Cheng<\/strong> fits into the team\u2019s future<\/strong>\u2014and whether his time in Boston becomes a success story<\/strong> that fans will remember for years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Boston Red Sox Claim Taiwanese Infielder Off Waivers From Washington Nationals In a fast-paced and ever-changing MLB offseason, the Boston Red Sox have made yet another move… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":149862,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-149858","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Boston Red Sox Claim Taiwanese Infielder Off Waivers From Washington Nationals In a fast-paced and ever-changing MLB offseason, the Boston Red Sox have made yet another move...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-07T08:14:57+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-07T08:14:57+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-07T08:14:57+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec\",\"name\":\"MrThanh\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MrThanh\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","og_description":"Boston Red Sox Claim Taiwanese Infielder Off Waivers From Washington Nationals In a fast-paced and ever-changing MLB offseason, the Boston Red Sox have made yet another move...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-02-07T08:14:57+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"MrThanh","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MrThanh","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858","name":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-07T08:14:57+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-07T08:14:57+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-87.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=149858#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udea8BREAKING: Boston Red Sox claim Taiwanese infielder off waivers from Washington Nationals! In a strategic move, the Sox are adding a promising talent to their infield, bringing in fresh international flair. How will this acquisition impact their lineup, and could this be the depth boost they need for the 2026 season? \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec","name":"MrThanh","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MrThanh"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149858","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=149858"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149858\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":149863,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/149858\/revisions\/149863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/149862"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=149858"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=149858"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=149858"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}