The injury effectively takes Chang out of the running for a bench spot on Tampa Bay’s season-opening roster. The 28-year-old infielder will open the year at Triple-A Durham with the hope of making it back to the big leagues.

The 28-year-old was brought in on a minor league contract to compete for a job in spring training, and this is certainly going to hurt his chances of making the team. He was injured often in 2023 as well as was limited to just 39 games with the Red Sox before being released.

There isn’t much of a path for Chang to collect regular at-bats in Tampa Bay with Brandon Lowe, José Caballero and Taylor Walls figuring to see the majority of the at-bats between shortstop and second base this upcoming season. It’s also only a matter of time before top prospect Junior Caminero is back in the big leagues for good. The 28-year-old infielder could carve out a role as a versatile utility specialist and represents solid organizational depth for the Rays heading into 2024.

Chang is among the most-notable handful of minor leaguers to elect free agency after finishing the 2023 season at Triple-A Worcester. The 28-year-old middle infielder was snake-bitten by injuries this season and wound up being limited to just 39 games before being jettisoned from Boston’s 40-man roster.