Jung Jong-chul Debuts with the Red Sox; Starts at Shortstop in Spring Training, No Hits and One Error

MLB spring training exhibition games kicked off with the Boston Red Sox playing against Northeastern University. Jung Jong-chul made his debut for the Red Sox, starting as the seventh batter and shortstop. He had three at-bats without a hit but received one walk.

Following a challenging offseason, Jung Jong-chul ultimately joined the Red Sox before spring training began and started in today’s opening exhibition game. In his first at-bat, he hit a strong fly ball to center field but was caught out. In the third inning, with runners on first and second and two outs, he grounded out to second base. In the fifth inning, he led off and earned a walk on four balls.

After five innings, Jung Jong-chul was replaced by Marvin Alcantara at shortstop. Wearing the Red Sox uniform for the first time, Jung went 0-for-2 with one walk. Defensively, he had three chances and committed one error: in the top of the second inning, with two outs and no runners on base, he mishandled a ground ball to shortstop, though no runs resulted from the mistake.

Also starting in the game was Red Sox’s Japanese outfielder Masataka Yoshida, batting second and playing left field. In his first at-bat, he hit a ground-rule double and later scored the team’s first run. His second at-bat resulted in a walk, and he scored again. Yoshida reached base in both plate appearances and scored two runs. He will also represent Japan for the second consecutive World Baseball Classic.