MINNEAPOLIS — Bobby Dalbec called it a “full-circle” moment.
After spending parts of the last five seasons with the Boston Red Sox, the infielder’s first game with the Chicago White Sox on Monday came against the Red Sox at Fenway Park.
“I thought about this kind of situation happening, but maybe not an 11 a.m. game,” Dalbec said, referring to the time of the first pitch on Patriots’ Day.
The White Sox selected Dalbec’s contract from Triple-A Charlotte on Monday when infielder Chase Meidroth went on the 10-day injured list with right thumb inflammation.
“Grateful for the White Sox giving me this opportunity and excited to play for them and play for (manager) Will (Venable),” Dalbec said. “Great guys in the clubhouse, excited to be back for sure.”
Dalbec received word he would be joining the White Sox in Boston around 5 p.m. Sunday.
“Then supposed to be a 7:15 (p.m.) flight that got delayed until like 9:30, so I got in a little late,” Dalbec said.
After the busy day of travel and quick turnaround for Monday’s early game, Dalbec had the chance to settle in a little more on Tuesday. He went 1-for-2 with a walk for the Sox in the 4-2 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
“I’m just trying to get my work in and be ready for whatever they need me to do,” Dalbec told the Tribune before Wednesday’s game against the Twins.
Dalbec had a .326/.354/.696 slash line with three doubles, one triple, four home runs and 13 RBIs in 12 games with Charlotte prior to the call-up.
“He’s been swinging the bat really well in Triple-A,” Venable said. “Hopefully he can provide a spark for us offensively. He’s got power to all fields and has improved his contact rate on pitches in the zone. Also like the defense, so just excited to see him do his thing.”
Dalbec said one word describes what was working for him with the Knights: “timing.”
The timing worked out for his first opportunity with the White Sox to come against the Red Sox.
Dalbec, 29, had a .222/.290/.425 career slash line with 37 doubles, 47 home runs and 142 RBIs in 331 games with the Red Sox, who selected him in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.
“It was cool, just getting in the box there (as a pinch-hitter on Monday),” Dalbec said. “Weird being on the visiting side, but still know all the guys, the clubhouse staff and got to see some good friends and people I call family. It was a great experience, for sure.”
Before Monday’s game in Boston, Dalbec discussed how his game has evolved.
“My internal thoughts are more clear, not as erratic for sure,” he said. “It’s just about focusing on what’s important and staying on it. Have a good checklist every day of why did things go wrong. It’s typically not my swing. Swing’s never going to look good if you’re late, you know? Just trying to work on that and being honest with myself through struggles and trying to bridge the gaps of my ups and downs.
“I was kind of trying to prove my power all the time. That’s the one thing I don’t need to prove is that I have power. So I’m just trying to be a good hitter and let my abilities take over.”
Dalbec started at third base on Tuesday. He’s played third, first, left field and right with Charlotte. On Wednesday, he took some grounders before the game at second base and shortstop.
“Just to be ready for anything, whatever they need me to do,” Dalbec said. “Will knows my game. Trying to get in there, produce runs, get on base, hit the ball hard, do damage and play consistent defense and good base running.”
Dalbec said the connection with Venable, which stretches to the skipper’s time as a bench coach with Boston, was one of the things that stood out when he came to terms on a minor-league deal with the White Sox organization in the offseason.
“There’s comfortability there and he’s a really good communicator,” Dalbec said. “But, got to perform to earn opportunities. And I’m just trying to capitalize on whatever opportunities I can to help the team win.”