Tsung-Che Cheng was unprepared for his wife Irene's birthday yesterday following Class AAA Indianapolis' two-game day against the Iowa Cubs. He had gotten her a chocolate birthday cake, but didn't have anything extravagant planned.
That was until Chris Truby's name came across his phone on the way home.
"He asked me if my wife was in the car as well and asked how she was doing," Cheng said through interpreter Haagen Tan of the conversation he had with the Indians' manager. "Then, he said 'You're going to Pittsburgh tomorrow,' "
"I feel like this is the best birthday gift for her," Cheng added.
Cheng arrived at PNC Park this morning ahead of the Pirates' three-game set with the Cardinals. He'll fill Jared Triolo's spot on the active roster after the utility Gold Glove award winner was placed on the 10-day IL with a lumbar spine strain.
Here's Cheng's full media availability:
The 23-year-old infielder, who was signed by the Pirates during the 2019 international signing period for $380,000, is in position to make his major-league debut sometime this week.
During his spring stint with the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. -- he was optioned to the Indians on March 11 -- he tallied six hits, two doubles and one home run while striking out three times in 17 at bats. He's only tallied one hit in 14 at-bats with Indianapolis this season, but he's known for his glove more than his bat.
"I think we saw the full scope of it in spring training, regardless if he played second or short, he can really defend," Derek Shelton said earlier today about why Cheng was promoted. "He’s played some third a little bit in the minor leagues. With losing Triolo, we needed someone who could play short as the backup. We felt he fit us the best.”
Cheng has climbed through the Pirates ranks over the last four seasons after starting in rookie ball in 2021. He played 132 games between Class AA Altoona and Class AAA Indianapolis last season with 126 of those games being played in a Curve uniform.
He finished the year hitting .251/.329/.341 with a .676 OPS but started to improve offensively toward the end of the year. He hit for a .302 average in September with three doubles and eight RBIs in 53 at-bats. This came after hitting .175 in August and .208 in July.
"I did have a lot of conversations with the Pirates and we tried to fix my hitting mechanics with my swing," Cheng said of his improvements last season. "It's been really effective so I've just tried to keep doing that."
Cheng isn't in tonight's lineup but could be called upon as a defensive replacement. He said bench coach Don Kelly told him he'll be mainly used at second or shortstop, where the Pirates are shorthanded. Nick Gonzales is already on the injured list with a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle and now Triolo is joining him.
Given the situation, Cheng is in a position to prove what he's capable of, but he's mainly focused on just doing what he's asked.
"For now, I just want to enjoy baseball, enjoy playing baseball and try to keep improving every single day," Cheng said. "That's it.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
10:15 pm - 04.07.2025NORTH SHORECheng's call-up the perfect 'gift' for his wife
Tsung-Che Cheng was unprepared for his wife Irene's birthday yesterday following Class AAA Indianapolis' two-game day against the Iowa Cubs. He had gotten her a chocolate birthday cake, but didn't have anything extravagant planned.
That was until Chris Truby's name came across his phone on the way home.
"He asked me if my wife was in the car as well and asked how she was doing," Cheng said through interpreter Haagen Tan of the conversation he had with the Indians' manager. "Then, he said 'You're going to Pittsburgh tomorrow,' "
"I feel like this is the best birthday gift for her," Cheng added.
Cheng arrived at PNC Park this morning ahead of the Pirates' three-game set with the Cardinals. He'll fill Jared Triolo's spot on the active roster after the utility Gold Glove award winner was placed on the 10-day IL with a lumbar spine strain.
Here's Cheng's full media availability:
The 23-year-old infielder, who was signed by the Pirates during the 2019 international signing period for $380,000, is in position to make his major-league debut sometime this week.
During his spring stint with the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla. -- he was optioned to the Indians on March 11 -- he tallied six hits, two doubles and one home run while striking out three times in 17 at bats. He's only tallied one hit in 14 at-bats with Indianapolis this season, but he's known for his glove more than his bat.
"I think we saw the full scope of it in spring training, regardless if he played second or short, he can really defend," Derek Shelton said earlier today about why Cheng was promoted. "He’s played some third a little bit in the minor leagues. With losing Triolo, we needed someone who could play short as the backup. We felt he fit us the best.”
Cheng has climbed through the Pirates ranks over the last four seasons after starting in rookie ball in 2021. He played 132 games between Class AA Altoona and Class AAA Indianapolis last season with 126 of those games being played in a Curve uniform.
He finished the year hitting .251/.329/.341 with a .676 OPS but started to improve offensively toward the end of the year. He hit for a .302 average in September with three doubles and eight RBIs in 53 at-bats. This came after hitting .175 in August and .208 in July.
"I did have a lot of conversations with the Pirates and we tried to fix my hitting mechanics with my swing," Cheng said of his improvements last season. "It's been really effective so I've just tried to keep doing that."
Cheng isn't in tonight's lineup but could be called upon as a defensive replacement. He said bench coach Don Kelly told him he'll be mainly used at second or shortstop, where the Pirates are shorthanded. Nick Gonzales is already on the injured list with a non-displaced fracture in his left ankle and now Triolo is joining him.
Given the situation, Cheng is in a position to prove what he's capable of, but he's mainly focused on just doing what he's asked.
"For now, I just want to enjoy baseball, enjoy playing baseball and try to keep improving every single day," Cheng said. "That's it.
Want to participate in our comments?
Want an ad-free experience?
Become a member, and enjoy premium benefits! Make your voice heard on the Steelers, Penguins and Pirates, and hear right back from tens of thousands of fellow Pittsburgh sports fans worldwide! Plus, access all our premium content, including Dejan Kovacevic columns, Friday Insider, daily Live Qs with the staff, more! And yeah, that's right, no ads at all!
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