Slater Joins List of Injured White Sox Outfielders
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox outfield continues to be plagued by injuries, as Austin Slater was scratched from Monday’s lineup due to a strained left oblique.
Slater was originally slated to play left field against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. His injury adds to the team’s growing list of sidelined outfielders, with Andrew Benintendi already out for four to six weeks after suffering a non-displaced fracture in his right hand on Feb. 27. Meanwhile, Michael A. Taylor is dealing with right elbow inflammation, though the team hopes he’ll return by the end of the week.
Slater, who signed a one-year deal with the Sox this offseason, has struggled at the plate this spring, going 0-for-9 with one RBI, two walks, and two runs in four games.
In Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Athletics, Corey Julks stepped in for Slater in left field. The game saw home runs from center fielder Luis Robert Jr. and right fielder Mike Tauchman.
Three Takeaways from White Sox Camp
1. Lenyn Sosa’s Hot Start to Spring Training
Infielder Lenyn Sosa has carried his strong finish from last season into spring training.
Last September, Sosa had a standout moment when he hit a game-tying, two-run home run in a dramatic nine-pitch at-bat against the San Diego Padres’ Robert Suárez. Reflecting on that moment, Sosa said through an interpreter:
“Before that at-bat, I was waiting and visualizing that moment. I had it in my mind, and when I stepped into the batter’s box, I was able to execute.”
His late-season performance was impressive, as he slashed .373/.398/.566 with four home runs, four doubles, and 13 RBIs in 23 September games. Sosa has maintained that momentum this spring, hitting .417 (5-for-12) with two doubles and five RBIs in five games.
Manager Will Venable praised Sosa’s offensive ability:
“He just looks like a hitter. There’s power, an understanding of situations, and the ability to use the whole field. We’ll find ways to get his bat in the lineup.”
Sosa has played second and third base this spring and started at first base on Monday. He remains focused on making the most of his opportunities:
“The opportunity is there for everyone in camp. It’s just about who can take advantage of it.”
2. Sean Burke’s Mixed Results in Second Start
Right-hander Sean Burke had an up-and-down outing in his second spring start Monday, allowing two runs on five hits with two walks and one strikeout over three innings.
Burke said he was pleased with his two-seam fastball, which generated several groundouts, but felt his slider was not as effective.
“There was a lot of traffic on the bases, some bad luck with broken-bat hits. But this is an outing to take in stride and keep working,” Burke said.
His pitch count increased from 40 in his first start to 54 on Monday. Despite the struggles, Burke emphasized the importance of building up for the season:
“The most important thing in spring is getting your workload up and making sure your stuff is where it needs to be. You’ll have outings where your stuff isn’t sharp, and you just have to grind through it.”
The only hard-hit ball against him was a two-run homer by Jacob Wilson in the first inning.
“That was a middle-middle slider that I didn’t locate well against a good hitter. But overall, health-wise, I feel good.”
3. Prelander Berroa Gives Injury Update
Reliever Prelander Berroa continues to recover from a Grade 1 elbow strain suffered on Feb. 22 against the Cubs.
Speaking through an interpreter, Berroa said his days have consisted of “a lot of treatment, a lot of rest,” and that he is feeling better compared to when the injury first occurred.
“The day it happened, I was in a lot of pain,” Berroa admitted.
He is set to have his elbow re-evaluated later this week.