The White Sox Have A New Starting Outfielder

If you’re a big Charlie Tilson fan, then today’s a rough one because the White Sox have activated Jon Jay to the 25-man roster and the left-handed veteran outfielder is about to cut into Tilson’s playing time.

But hey, the good news is that the Odrisamer Despaigne experiment is over after a predictably bad three starts. The latest being Saturday, when the White Sox scored four runs in the first inning only to see Despaigne immediately surrender three in the bottom half. He only pitched three innings in Texas, allowing four earned runs in what was eventually a 6-5 loss for the White Sox.

Despaigne allowed 14 earned runs on 24 hits and 7 walks in his three starts with the White Sox, all losses. He was DFA’d to make room for Jay on the active roster.

Jay, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal in the offseason, didn’t play until June 3, when he began a rehab assignment at Double-A. After three games in Birmingham, Jay went up to Triple-A and in 13 games he slashed .358/.382/.396, with two doubles, six RBIs and eight runs scored. He batted .333 (21-for-63) overall in the minors this month, rehabbing from his hip injury.

And Jay is in Monday’s lineup, batting sixth and starting in right field against the Red Sox in Boston.

In 2018, Jay hit .268, with a .330 OBP with the Royals and Diamondbacks. He has a career .352 OBP and .285 batting average. Lots of singles, some walks and OK defense.

Oh, by the way, the White Sox now have two open spots in their starting rotation.