Joey Bart Suffers Fracture In Left Hand

New White Sox catcher Joey Bart fractured the fifth metacarpal in his left hand tonight, the team announced. Bart was just drilled by a 98 mph fastball from Red Sox reliever Erik Miller, himself a deadline pickup. He was replaced by Drew Romo.

The immediate fracture diagnosis makes an injured list stint feel inevitable. Chicago figures to recall Edgar Quero from Triple-A Charlotte yet again to split time with Romo. That’s an underwhelming pairing which the White Sox specifically sought to upgrade by acquiring Bart at the deadline. The unfortunate timing of today’s injury leaves them without many alternatives while they awaiting the return of Kyle Teel.

There wasn’t a huge acquisition cost. The Sox traded swingman Duncan Davitt, whom they’d designated for assignment earlier on deadline day, to the Braves for Bart. Atlanta had Sean Murphy on the verge of returning from the injured list and wasn’t likely to carry three catchers. Bart should’ve had a decent chance at the #1 catching job with the Sox until Teel returns from a high ankle sprain, hopefully in early September.

Quero is the only other catcher on the 40-man roster. The Sox could turn to recent minor league signee Eric Haase or look to the open market. Seattle just released Mitch Garver, while Chadwick Tromp elected free agency after being released by the Orioles this week.

They can still look to the trade market for players who haven’t been on a 40-man roster all season. Those aren’t going to be any huge additions, of course, but players like Washington’s Riley Adams and Cleveland’s Kody Huff are having big Triple-A seasons and are still eligible to be traded. While Cleveland may not be interested in offering any help to their AL Central competitor, the Nationals would probably trade Adams for cash considerations or a fringe prospect.