The Chicago White Sox return home this weekend for three games against the Tampa Bay Rays and hope to snap their seven-game losing streak. Chicago went 0-7 on its recent road trip, getting swept by the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins. With the season trending toward historic levels of futility, the White Sox are trying to make improvements.
In a series of Friday roster moves, the White Sox purchased the contract of outfielder Tommy Pham, who signed a minor-league deal, and designated outfielder Kevin Pillar and pitcher Bailey Horn for assignment.
Additionally, Chicago optioned outfielder Dominic Fletcher to Triple-A Charlotte and purchased the contract of Rafael Ortega. Ortega signed with the White Sox in the offseason on a minor-league deal.
The 32-year-old is a left-handed hitter who can handle all three outfield positions. He's bounced around the league since debuting for the Colorado Rockies in 2012.
Horn, a 2020 draft pick of the White Sox, was reacquired from the Chicago Cubs during Spring Training after being traded to the North Side in 2021. The left-hander turned in a rough 11.32 ERA across 10.1 innings in nine appearances for Charlotte to begin the 2024 season.
Old and New
Ortega put together his best season in 2021 with the Chicago Cubs and slashed .291/.360/.463 over 330 plate appearances. He played 47 games for the New York Mets in 2023 and produced a .809 OPS in 18 games with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights to begin the 2024 campaign.
Acquired in an offseason deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitching prospect Cristian Mena, Fletcher made the Opening Day roster despite a sub-par camp. The 26-year-old made 66 plate appearances for the South Siders and slashed a paltry .203/.277/.271.
What's On Tap Next?
The White Sox hope to find any semblance of offense by adding Pham and Ortega. They're desperately trying anything that may provide a marginal boost in run production. Fletcher failed to produce in his first stint in the big leagues with Chicago, and a reset in the minor leagues may help him unlock his potential.
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