The White Sox designated right-handed pitcher Odrisamer Despaigne for assignment prior to their game against the Red Sox on Monday.
The club also activated Jon Jay from the 60-day injured list after the completion of outfielder’s injury rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte. Jay will play right field and bat sixth Monday night in his White Sox debut.
Despaigne, 32, struggled badly in three starts for the White Sox after being signed on May 18. His last appearance came Saturday, when he lasted just three innings and allowed four runs in a 6-5 loss to the Rangers.
The Sox now have up to seven days to waive, trade or release the right-hander, who’s also pitched for the Marlins, Padres, Angels and Orioles over parts of six seasons.
The good news is that Jay, a free agent signing in the offseason, will finally get to play his first big league game of the the year injured with a strained right hip. He played well during his minor-league rehab assignment, batting .333 (21-of-63) in 16 games, so it appears he’s shaken off most of the rust from his extended absence.
Last season, the 34-year-old batted .268/.330/.347 with three home runs in 143 games split between the Diamondbacks and Royals. He was better the year before as a member of the Cubs, posting a .374 on-base percentage in 433 plate appearances.
The White Sox open their series at Fenway Park against the Red Sox at 6:10 p.m. CT.
