According to multiple reports, the Chicago White Sox have designated infielder Jose Rodriguez for assignment. The move will make room on the 40-man roster for pitcher Mike Clevinger, who reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Sox on Monday.
Rodriguez entered the year as the White Sox' No. 17 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. Chicago initially assigned him to Double-A Birmingham to begin the 2024 season.
Rodriguez slashed .262/.292/.437 with 21 home runs and 62 RBIs in 493 plate appearances across two minor-league levels in 2023. Across five seasons in the White Sox system, he posted a .283/.323/.446 slash line with 57 home runs and 235 RBIs in 1,918 plate appearances.
Rodriguez seemingly fell out of favor in the White Sox' prospect pool as the big-league club needed reinforcements last season but preferred the likes of Romy Gonzalez and Zach Remillard over him. The 22-year-old appeared in just one MLB game but didn't register a plate appearance in 2023.
Now, Rodriguez will go through waivers. As James Fegan of Sox Machine noted, the White Sox may look to find a trade partner during the process. Regardless, Rodriguez is on the outs while Clevinger is set to return to the South Siders.
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