FORT MYERS, FL -- And then there were two (calls remaining).
The Red Sox moved closer to finalizing their Opening Day roster by optioning Bobby Dalbec to Worcester and returning Jorge Alfaro to minor league camp.
The moves mean that Yu Chang will serve as the team's utility infielder while Connor Wong will be the team's backup catcher.
There had been some question about Chang's readiness to start the regular season after visa issues delayed his arrival to camp until late last week. Chang had been in his native Taiwan after competing in the World Baseball Classic. As it was, Chang took part in the Red Sox final road game of the spring against the Atlanta Braves Monday, but that was his first Grapefruit League appearance of the spring.
Still, the Sox liked what they had seen of Chang in both the WBC and on the back fields in recent days and chose him over Dalbec. Previously, Dalbec has been mostly a first baseman, but this spring saw him move all over the infield, including shortstop. He had an .814 OPS in 18 games.
"I thought I played really well,'' he said. "Defense, offense. (I had) a little lull in the last 10-15 at-bats, maybe. But I felt like I contributed every day on the basepaths, played hard. So I did all I can do. I think I controlled what I could. The rest isn't up to me.
"There's no bitterness or anything. Yeah, it sucks. I think I've played well enough to deserve a spot. I think they would agree with that, too. It's just how (stuff) goes.''
The Sox will have Dalbec play third, short, first and occasionally some second at Worcester, allowing him to expand his versatility while waiting for a chance in Boston.
"He's going to be a part of it at some point,'' said Alex Cora of Dalbec. "For us to accomplish the things that we're set to do, it's more than 26 guys. Bobby's still a good player. I think the at-bats (in Worcester) are going to help him. He's just got to be ready, and whenever we call his name, if we need it, just be ready to come here and contribute.''
Meanwhile, Wong beat out Alfaro to serve as the No. 2 catcher behind starter Reese McGuire.
Wong was the clear favorite going into camp, but suffered a hamstring strain in early March that sidelined him for weeks and put his availability for the start of the year in question.
At the same time, the Sox liked Alfaro's power and arm strength, while still expressing reservations about his receiving skills and his propensity for swing-and-miss. Alfaro had an "upward mobility'' clause in his contract, which allowed him to shop himself around starting Saturday to see if another organization was willing to add him to its 40-man roster.
When that opportunity came and went without Alfaro being presented with a spot elsewhere, the Sox retained him, re-assigning him to minor league camp.
That left Wong as the winner for the final catching spot. He played in a few minor league games over the weekend and was in the lineup against the Braves Monday.
Those two decisions leave the Red Sox with two more: a backup outfielder and the final man on the 13-man roster spot.
The outfield spot comes down between NRI (non-roster invitee) Raimel Tapia and Jarren Duran.
Tapia has had a fine spring (.963 OPS) but there are complications to him making the team. As a non-roster player, the Sox would have to take another player off the 40-man to accommodate him.
He also has a more traditional opt-out clause and told reporters Monday that his agent is exploring other options.
Duran would satisfy the need for a left-handed outfielder off the bench, and especially in light of the new rules that encourage basestealing. But there are questions about Duran's outfield play and his offensive output. He has failed to take advantage of several chances to stick with the club on a permanent basis.
Finally, the Sox have to add a 13th pitcher. The choice would represent a choice between Kaleb Ort or an external acquisition.
"There's a lot of stuff going on right now,'' said Cora. "There's a lot of guys out there. If we see an opportunity to take advantage of it, we'll do it. If not, we'll stay in-house.''
Ort has had a putrid spring, allowing five homers in 9.1 innings, with an ERA of 9.,64 with eight walks allowed. The Red Sox maintain they're less focused on those numbers and more on his stuff, which they term as "great.'' Still, at some point in competition, performance would seem to have to enter the equation.