Replacing Xander Bogaerts at shortstop hasn’t been an easy task for the Boston Red Sox through the first month of the 2023 MLB season. Kiké Hernandez started the season in that role but struggled defensively. His stay at the position was short-lived, as just a week into the season he was moved to center field to replace Adam Duvall after Duvall broke his wrist.

After shuffling the lineup a bit manager Alex Cora finally settled on Yu Chang in the role. Chang – who was coming off an impressive performance at the World Baseball Classic – took a bit to get going but in the last eight games had three home runs and eight runs driven in. In 11 total starts as shortstop, he’s yet to make an error.

• However that momentum has now been halted, and the team will have to make another change at the position. During Monday night’s loss to the Baltimore Orioles, Chang left the game mid-at-bat due to a wrist injury. That injury turned out to be a ‘left hamate fracture,’ the team revealed on Tuesday.

  Given that, the team placed Chang on the 10-day IL on Tuesday afternoon. According to Chris Cotillo of MassLive, Chang will undergo surgery on Thursday and is estimated to be out for six weeks.

• Red Sox are promoting Enmanuel Valdez to replace Yu Chang on the big league roster, per @SmittyOnMLB.
  
  Valdez went 2-for-4 in his debut last week.
  
  Looks like Kiké Hernandez will be getting a lot of time at SS moving forward.pic.twitter.com/xiTvqR3Oxi

  — Tyler Milliken ⚾️ (@tylermilliken_) April 25, 2023

• To fill his spot on the roster, the Red Sox have recalled infielder Enmanuel Valdez from Triple-A Worcester. This will be Valdez’ second stint with the team this season. He was up for a single game last week, which was his MLB debut. The 24-year-old went 2-for-4 in that game.

  Meanwhile, the team is still waiting on the return of Adalberto Mondesi from the IL. Mondesi, who was acquired by the Red Sox in a trade this offseason from the Kansas City Royals, is working his way back from a torn ACL he suffered last spring. Once healthy, he projects as the team’s every day shortstop.

  The Red Sox return to action Tuesday night, with Hernandez getting the start at shortstop and Jarren Duran in center field. First pitch is at 6:35 p.m. with Corey Kluber on the mound for Boston.

• Alex Barth is a writer and digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Thoughts? Comments? Questions? Looking for a podcast guest? Let him know on Twitter @RealAlexBarth or via email at [email protected].

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