GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Chicago White Sox are dealing with a variety of injuries as opening day approaches on Thursday.
Infielder Josh Rojas continues to recover from a hairline fracture in his right big toe. Outfielder Mike Tauchman has been slowed by what general manager Chris Getz called a “light” right hamstring strain.
“We’re trying to get to the finish line of spring training, put together an opening-day roster, there’s always a couple twists and we just so happen to have a couple guys that have minor injuries,” Getz said Sunday at Camelback Ranch. “There’s a fair amount of wait and see.
“But we’ve got different scenarios prepared and we’ll make that final say come opening day who the 26 players are and we’re certainly nearing that mark.”
Roster adjustments continued Sunday as the Sox released infielder Brandon Drury, optioned reliever Gus Varland to Triple A and claimed pitcher Mike Vasil off waivers from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Getz said Rojas is “moving around, but it’s going to take a little bit of time for that to feel better.”
“He’s a guy that likely starts on the (injured list) to begin with,” Getz said. “But we expect it to be a quick stint.”
With Tauchman, Getz said the Sox “certainly don’t want to push it.”
“But also a guy that’s pretty close to being ready to go early part of the year,” Getz said. “We’re still deciding on whether we IL him or push him on opening day. We’re leaning toward a more conservative route of IL’ing him, get it behind him so we can get off to a good start.”
Drury had a strong spring cut short by a fractured left thumb suffered on Thursday. The veteran — who signed a minor-league deal with a nonroster invitation to big-league camp in early February — was an article XX(B) free agent, which included the possibility of an opt-out if not added to the roster five days before opening day or the major-league injured list at the outset of the season, according to MLB.
Vasil, 25, provides more pitching depth for the Sox in the aftermath of right-hander Drew Thorpe needing Tommy John surgery.
The right-hander was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the Rule 5 draft from the New York Mets on Dec. 11 and was traded the same day to the Rays in exchange for cash considerations. Vasil spent last season with Triple-A Syracuse in the Mets organization, going 8-10 with a 6.04 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 29 appearances (27 starts).
“It’s a unique situation because he’s a Rule 5 pick,” Getz said. “We actually did a fair amount of work on him this offseason, prior to the Rule 5 draft in which we decided to take Shane Smith. And so, you track situations and the players throughout spring training and when he became available on waivers, looking at the upside that he can bring long-term based on his ability to be a starter in the future, but also has stuff that kind of aligns with our kind of pitching process that we feel like we can help maximize.”
Vasil, who has no major-league experience, will be joining the Sox in Chicago as they open the season against the Los Angeles Angels. He is 17-18 with a 4.90 ERA and 342 strikeouts in 76 outings (73 starts) over four career minor-league seasons.
“To have two Rule 5 picks on a roster is a bit unique, but considering our situation right now where we are as an organization, we felt like this is worth the effort,” Getz said. “And perhaps worth the limitations that are put on Rule 5 picks. But we’re excited to get around him, we obviously feel really good about Shane Smith and now to get a crack at another pitcher that we really like and has a higher ceiling, yeah, we feel fortunate now to have Mike Vasil (as) a part of the group.”
Getz sees Vasil as someone who can help the club as either a starter or a reliever. He’ll probably work out of the bullpen at the beginning of the season.
“He’s been up to three innings in spring training,” Getz said. “We can build off of that. He can provide bulk and there’s some versatility in his arsenal. And adding someone to the bullpen, whether it be a Bryse Wilson, a Tyler Gilbert, these guys that not only can be effective on the shorter stints, but also give us more innings, whether it be in a starting role or the underbelly of a game, is going to be really helpful, certainly early on in the season.”
To make room for Vasil on the 40-man roster, the Sox placed right-hander Prelander Berroa on the 60-day injured list. Berroa underwent successful Tommy John surgery on March 17.
The Sox continue to see positive progress from outfielders Andrew Benintendi (nondisplaced fracture in his right hand) and Austin Slater (strained left oblique).
“(Benintendi) he’s gotten a lot of at-bats in back field games, he’s gotten some DH outings, he’s in left field (Sunday) and we hope that he’s ready to go opening day,” Getz said. “We expect that. I know Beni does as well. We’ll see how the next few days go before making a decision.
“Slater is in a really good spot. He’s gotten some at-bats, playing defense, moving around like he’s accustomed to doing so he’s ready to go as well.”
