The White Sox recalled right-hander Carson Fulmer from Class AAA Charlotte before their game against the Rays on Monday. The team had an open spot on its roster after optioning outfielder Ryan Cordell to Charlotte on Sunday night.
Fulmer, the Sox’ 2015 first-round pick, made limited appearances with the team in each of the last three seasons. He may not be on the big league roster for long depending on what happens with Ervin Santana, who is set to be activated Tuesday to make his first appearance of the season.
“It could be,” Sox manager Rick Renteria said when asked if Fulmer might be here for one day.
The Sox could make another roster move after the game and activate Santana Tuesday morning.
Fulmer entered the game with two outs in the fifth inning in relief of Carlos Rodon with the Sox trailing 4-0.
Fulmer made one appearance out of Charlotte’s bullpen this season prior to his promotion. He allowed one run on two hits and two walks while striking out four in 2.1 innings. He has not performed well at the Class AAA level with a 5.48 career ERA in 212 innings.
Santana, who spent the past four seasons with the Twins, has a locker in the Sox clubhouse, but Renteria wouldn’t make his start official Monday morning.
Avi returns
It’s safe to say Avisail Garcia will play with a chip on his shoulder in the Sox’ three game home series against the Rays, the former Sox right fielder’s new team. The Sox declined to tender a contract to Garcia and parted ways after five and a half seasons, a decision that disappointed the 2017 All-Star who played through knee and hamstring problems in 2018.
“In baseball, sometimes things go good and sometimes it goes bad,” said Garcia, who signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with $2.5 million in incentives with the Rays after making $6.7 million in 2018. “I got a lot of memories in Chicago. I went to the All-Star Game here for the first time, my kids were born here. So, I got a lot of memories here, walking the street, walking here to the ballpark. It’s just special.”
In arbitration, Garcia was projected to cost the Sox $8 million in 2019. Instead, they signed 34-year old left-handed hitting leadoff type Jon Jay to a one-year, $4 million deal. With Jay injured and not expected back soon, and Daniel Palka going hitless in his first 21 at-bats, the Sox have have had little production from Garcia’s old position.
Garcia was surprised the Sox didn’t want him back, but says he’s happy with his new team, which had him batting fourth against Carlos Rodon in the series opener Monday. He was off to a slow start, with a .167 batting average with one extra-base hit and no RBI.
“It is what it is. It’s business,” he said. “So, no hard feelings.”
