Pittsburgh Pirates DFA Marco Luciano, Designate Tsung-Che Cheng

The Pittsburgh Pirates just shook up their roster, designating former top prospects Marco Luciano and Tsung-Che Cheng for assignment. This move opened up 40-man spots after a three-team trade brought in Brandon Lowe, Mason Montgomery, and Jake Mangum.

The market for once-hyped talents can shift fast. A contending-minded club has to balance upside against what helps the roster right now.

Pirates Clear Space After Three-Team Trade

The catalyst here was a multi-club deal. It sent established big leaguer Brandon Lowe, pitching prospect Mason Montgomery, and outfielder Jake Mangum to Pittsburgh.

Three incoming players meant three 40-man spots needed. The Pirates had to make some tough calls on the edge of their roster.

Instead of exposing lesser-known depth pieces, the front office designated two former top prospects. They’re betting the new guys will help more right now and offer better flexibility.

Why Lowe, Montgomery, and Mangum Matter Now

Lowe brings left-handed power and can play several infield spots. That’s the kind of thing that can shake up a lineup in a hurry.

Montgomery adds an arm with upside—maybe he lands in the rotation, maybe the bullpen, but he’s close to helping. Mangum brings outfield depth and a contact-first approach. For a Pirates team trying to stay in the mix, these are win-now moves with years of control left.

Marco Luciano: From Elite Prospect to DFA Risk

Not long ago, Marco Luciano topped prospect lists everywhere. Baseball America had him in their top 15, and people saw him as a future middle-of-the-order staple.

The Pirates claimed him off waivers from the Giants, hoping for a low-cost, high-upside reward. If Luciano’s bat had clicked in the majors, Pittsburgh would’ve landed a blue-chip talent for just a 40-man spot.

But the same flaws followed him to Pittsburgh. The contact just hasn’t come together.

Strikeouts and Position Change Derail a Star Track

Luciano’s biggest issue? He can’t make enough contact. In limited time with San Francisco across 2023–24, he hit just .217/.286/.304 with 45 strikeouts in 126 plate appearances.

That strikeout rate is tough to overlook. His 2025 Triple-A stint was a mixed bag:

Defensively, things got rougher. He started as a shortstop, but his glove fell behind and he moved to left field.

That switch raised the bar for his bat, and with contact issues, it’s a tough leap. Luciano is out of minor league options now, so any team that picks him up has to keep him on the MLB roster.

If not, he’s right back in DFA limbo. That probably made the Pirates’ decision a little easier after the trade.

Tsung-Che Cheng: Versatile, Athletic, but a Light Bat

Tsung-Che Cheng tells a different prospect story. As recently as 2024, he ranked as a top-10 Pirates prospect, known for athleticism, versatility, and baseball instincts—not power.

He made his MLB debut in April this season. Like a lot of glove-first infielders, Cheng hit a steep offensive learning curve.

Offensive Struggles Stall His Momentum

Cheng’s first big-league stint was rough. He went hitless in seven at-bats, struck out three times, and got caught stealing his only try.

The Pirates sent him back to Triple-A after that. But he never really found his swing:

On defense, Cheng still checks plenty of boxes. He’s versatile and athletic enough to move around the infield, which fits a modern bench role.

But his bat has been light since Double-A. With the roster squeezed by new arrivals, the Pirates just couldn’t keep waiting for the offense to show up.

Cheng does have one minor league option left, though. That might interest another club, since they could let him develop in Triple-A without rushing him onto the MLB roster.

What Happens Next for Luciano and Cheng?

Designated for assignment, both players are now stuck in roster limbo. The Pirates have five days to trade them, put them on outright waivers, or just release them.

They’re both only 24, so you’d think other teams might see some potential there—maybe even take a shot at a turnaround.

For Pittsburgh, these DFAs aren’t really about the players’ talent. It’s more about the numbers game and juggling the roster.

The club picked immediate contributors and pitching depth they can use right now, instead of hanging onto longer-term projects that don’t fit on the 40-man roster. In this league, every roster spot matters, and honestly, prospect status doesn’t mean much once you’re facing those big-league decisions.

 
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