After breakout Classic, Chang battles for roster spot

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Fresh off being named the Most Valuable Player of Pool A in the World Baseball Classic, Yu Chang could have ridden back into Red Sox camp riding a wave of momentum.

Instead, he waited. And waited. And waited.

There were visa issues that delayed Chang flying from his home in Taiwan -- where he starred for Chinese Taipei in the WBC -- to Fort Myers.

Chang (7-for-16 with two doubles, two homers and eight RBIs in the Classic) took his final at-bat for Chinese Taipei on March 11. He at last landed in Fort Myers on March 23, leaving him with a very short time to solidify his spot on Boston’s Opening Day roster.

The Red Sox play their final Grapefruit League game on Tuesday and open up at home against the Orioles at Fenway Park on Thursday.

“Yeah, of course I was a little bit nervous waiting for the visa to get back to me, ” Chang said. “Now the situation is not too many games left before we break camp, so I want to get myself in the best shape and get ready to go."

Because the Red Sox didn’t sign Chang until Feb. 16, he wasn’t able to get to Fort Myers before the WBC, leaving him with a very brief time to make an impression on the team he played 11 games with at the end of last season. However, that brief stint with Boston was just a portion of Chang’s well-traveled 2022 season, during which he also played games for the Guardians, Pirates and Rays. Yes, four teams in one season.

A right-handed hitter who can play all four infield positions, Chang hopes to live a less nomadic existence this season.

“Of course it’s not ideal playing for four different teams in one season, but hopefully the Red Sox can be my home, and I can play here as long as possible,” Chang said.

The first thing he will have to do is beat Bobby Dalbec out for the utility infield spot for Boston. Dalbec has Minor League options, so Chang is considered the favorite to win the spot so the organization can keep both players.

But the Red Sox haven’t made any announcements yet, and Chang has yet to be told by the club if he will head north.

The 27-year-old did his best to stay in shape during his visa wait by working out with his high school team, as well as his personal trainer.

The reason Chang’s offensive outburst for Chinese Taipei was so interesting is that he hasn’t shown much production to date in his Major League career, putting up a batting line of .213/.279/.360 with 14 homers and 61 RBIs in 538 plate appearances.

Playing for his country, Chang got in the proverbial zone.

“I felt good in the box. See the ball, hit the ball. Fortunately, the outcome was good,” said Chang. “I really appreciated the fans from Taiwan rooting for me, and the team as well, and glad they got something from us in return.”

Though Chang has been known almost exclusively for his defense to this point in his career, he thinks there is more in his bat than the numbers show to date.

“I’m pretty confident about what I can do in the box, and hopefully I’ll keep myself in a good spot and keep performing,” said Chang.