The Nationals claimed shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday, adding another infielder to an organization that continues to make transactions on the fringes of the roster while avoiding more significant moves this offseason.
Cheng’s acquisition prompted the club to designate Konnor Pilkington for assignment, dropping the left-hander who became a prominent member of the bullpen last summer from the 40-man roster.
The 24-year-old Cheng, who stands only 5-foot-8, was signed by the Pirates out of his native Taiwan in 2019 at 17. He slowly climbed the organizational ladder, playing 107 games at Triple-A Indianapolis last season. He also made his major league debut in April, appearing in three games and going 0-for-7 with three strikeouts.
Pittsburgh designated Cheng for assignment last month, and he was claimed off waivers by the Rays on Jan. 7. Tampa Bay also designated him for assignment only five days later, with the Mets then claiming him Jan. 16, only to designate him for assignment five days after that.
Cheng can only hope he sticks with the Nationals longer. A versatile infielder who primarily plays shortstop but has also seen action at second and third base, he owns a career .251/.350/.385 slash line with 88 doubles, 21 triples, 35 homers and 112 stolen bases in 507 professional games across five seasons.
He’s only the 18th Taiwanese-born player to reach the majors, and he’ll join Chien-Ming Wang as the only ones to play for the Nats. He still has one option year remaining, so the club can send him to Triple-A without exposing him to waivers.
Pilkington could stick in the organization as well if he clears waivers and accepts an outright assignment to Rochester. The 28-year-old reliever signed a minor league deal with the Nationals last winter, then pitched well enough at Triple-A to earn a midsummer promotion. He stayed in the majors the rest of the season, going 2-0 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.376 WHIP in 32 games, striking out 10.8 batters per nine innings.
Wednesday’s move leaves the Nats with only two left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster: PJ Poulin and Paxton Schultz. Mitchell Parker could join them if the team decides not to use him as a starter in either D.C. or Rochester.
* Riley Adams accepted his outright assignment to Triple-A after clearing waivers, the catcher choosing to remain in the organization and earn a higher salary that he likely would have received from another club had he elected free agency.
Adams was designated for assignment last week when the Nationals claimed reliever Gus Varland off waivers and needed to clear a 40-man roster spot. As a player with more three years of big league service time, the 29-year-old had the right to refuse an outright assignment but instead chose to remain because of the split contract he signed earlier this winter.
That contract guaranteed Adams a $1 million salary if he was in the big leagues and a $500,000 salary if he was in the minors. Few minor leaguers make that much, so Adams had incentive to accept the assignment rather than hope another club might offer him a major league deal at this point.
Last month’s trade for Harry Ford didn’t bode well for Adams, with the top-100 prospect now likely to compete with Keibert Ruiz for playing time behind the plate. The Nats also have Drew Millas (who has one remaining option) and Mickey Gasper (who has two options and plays multiple positions), further squeezing Adams out of the picture.
Since his acquisition from the Blue Jays for closer Brad Hand in 2021, Adams has mostly served as Ruiz’s backup in the big leagues. He got his most extensive opportunity to start last season while Ruiz dealt with lingering concussion issues, but despite a few hot streaks along the way finished with a disappointing .186/.252/.308 slash line, eight homers and 24 RBIs in 83 games.