Chicago White Sox Face Catching Issues Again
The Chicago White Sox are dealing with injury problems behind the plate once more. Catcher Joey Bart, who was recently acquired, has been placed on the 10-day injured list. He suffered a fifth metacarpal fracture in his left hand and will be sidelined for over a month, according to General Manager Chris Getz.
With Bart’s absence, the White Sox have called up Edgar Quero from Triple-A Charlotte to offer additional catching support. This development is part of four roster moves announced by the team before they began their series against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field.
In addition to Bart’s injury, the Sox have placed left-handed pitcher Chris Murphy on the 15-day injured list with a left flexor strain. Right-handed pitcher David Sandlin has been recalled from Charlotte to fill in.
Impact of Bart’s Injury on the Team
Bart sustained his injury during the seventh inning of Thursday’s game, a 12-11 loss to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Manager Will Venable expressed disappointment, noting that Bart’s early impact and excitement to join the Sox were evident from his first few games. “Really disappointing,” Venable remarked. “He was thrilled to be part of meaningful games and had made a good impression.”
Bart had joined the White Sox from the Atlanta Braves on Monday and had already started three games for them. General Manager Getz acknowledged Bart’s injury as a setback for the team, emphasizing that moving forward and finding solutions is essential.
The Challenges of the Catching Position
The catching position has been unpredictable for the White Sox this season. Injuries have limited Kyle Teel to only 19 games. Currently, he is on the injured list with a left ankle sprain. Despite these setbacks, Edgar Quero has shown promise, contributing notably with a walk-off RBI against the Yankees.
Getz reflected on the challenging nature of the catching position, mentioning how spring training already presented obstacles with injuries. “It’s been an area that has been fluid,” Getz said, addressing the need for the team to remain adaptable and creative in handling the position.
Quero’s Return and Future Outlook
Edgar Quero was just sent to Charlotte on Tuesday but has now returned to assist the team. He has a batting record of .194/.257/.235 with 16 RBIs and 12 runs in 61 games this season. “It’s tough, but you have to be strong mentally,” Quero stated, emphasizing his readiness to contribute positively.
Quero started Friday’s game, with Manager Venable planning to take a flexible approach in deploying him and Drew Romo based on daily assessments.
Pitching Adjustments Following Murphy’s Injury
David Sandlin is also having his third stint with the White Sox this season, holding a record of 2-1 with a 6.05 ERA in four appearances. Getz noted the ongoing need for multiple pitchers to manage the innings throughout the season.
Following a lengthy game that exhausted the bullpen, the team called up Sandlin for support. Getz emphasized the importance of a robust pitching strategy for the upcoming months. “It’s comforting to know that we have Sandlin available,” he added.