Red Sox Designate Veteran For Assignment To Create Room For Trevor Story's Return
The Boston Red Sox are on the fringe of playoff contention and could desperately use all the reinforcements they've been promised down the stretch. Fortunately, a notable upgrade arrived on Tuesday.
The Red Sox are set to activate shortstop Trevor Story from the injured list and, as expected, are designating utility man Yu Chang for assignment. Chang's locker has been cleared out according to MassLive's Chris Cotillo.
Story hit .238 with 38 extra-base hits including 16 home runs, 66 RBIs and a .737 OPS in 94 games last season to begin his Red Sox career. The 30-year-old also played Gold-Glove caliber defense at second base and made an impact on the basepaths, swiping 13 bags without getting caught stealing.
The two-time All-Star and Silver Slugger spent more time than usual getting back up to speed but appears to be ready to do some damage. Story hit .300 (12-for-40) with eight extra-base hits including four home runs, nine RBIs and a 1.117 OPS in his 13 rehab games between Double-A Portland and Triple-A Worcester. He also looked sharp in his transition back to shortstop.
As for Chang, he was incredibly important defensively. The 27-year-old replaced Kiké Hernández as the primary shortstop upon return from the injured list and was a massive improvement. That said, he also hit .162 with extra-base hits including six home runs, 18 RBIs and a .552 OPS in 39 games. His 44 OPS+ implies that he was not even half as good as a league-average hitter.
Chang was one of a plethora of underwhelming options the Red Sox had all season long up the middle. The hope is that Story and Luis Urías can steady the ship.
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