With spring training suspended and Major League Baseball on hold because of the coronavirus pandemic, the White Sox made three procedural roster moves Monday, optioning catchers Zack Collins and Yermin Mercedes and right-handed reliever Jose Ruiz to Class AAA Charlotte.
With catchers Yasmani Grandal and James McCann ahead of them, Collins and Mercedes were long shots to make the Opening Roster despite Collins batting .333 with two homers and eight walks and Mercedes .381 with four homers during spring training games.
With his 5-11, 235-pound frame, big swing and exuberance, Mercedes, 27, was a darling of spring training who tried building a case for claiming the 26th spot on the roster. While having no major league experience, he tweeted “See you soon Chicago” during his spring hot streak. But the Sox will likely seek a more versatile player when they break camp, whenever that is.
Collins, a 2016 first-round draft pick, appeared to making progress defensively, manager Rick Renteria said, but will be better served getting regular playing time at Charlotte.
Ruiz posted a 5.63 ERA in 40 relief appearances last season. In five Cactus League appearances this spring, he allowed seven runs on 11 hits over 5/3 innings (11.12 ERA).
Opening Day was pushed back until mid-May at the earliest Monday after the federal government recommended restricting events of more than 50 people for the next eight weeks because of the coronavirus.
