The White Sox optioned right-hander Dylan Covey to Class AAA Charlotte on Thursday, a move that keeps hard-throwing right-hander Jose Ruiz — recalled this week when Tim Anderson went on the paternity list — in their bullpen.
Ruiz, 24, made a good showing this spring in seven appearances, posting a 2.70 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 6 2/3 innings after pitching to a 3.07 ERA with 77 strikeouts and 16 saves in 58 2/3 innings between advanced Class A Winston-Salem and Class AA Birmingham last season. Ruiz appeared in six games after the Sox called him up in September and allowed two earned runs over 4 1/3 innings.
Anderson was reinstated from the paternity list and is expected to be at shortstop when the Sox play the Mariners in their home opener Friday.
The Sox also reinstated right-hander Ian Hamilton from the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Charlotte. Hamilton was a good bet to make the Opening Day roster, but he was limited to one game this spring because of right-shoulder inflammation.
Covey, 27, faced four batters and did not record an out in the disastrous four-run eighth inning of a 5-3 loss to the Indians on Monday. He walked two (one intentionally), allowed a hit and was on the mound for second baseman Yolmer Sanchez’s error on Hanley Ramirez’s soft liner. He allowed one hit in 1 1/3 scoreless innings against the Royals on Opening Day.
Covey made 21 starts and six relief appearances last season, going 5-14 with a 5.18 ERA.
