The White Sox are on the verge of taking another step back to normal.
Before Friday’s game against the Tigers, the team announced its target to fully open Guaranteed Rate Field to fans by June 25, which is the start of a series against the Mariners. Season-ticket holders will be moving back to their assigned locations.
In the same announcement, the Sox said they “may” be able to sell additional tickets to the games against the Rays on June 14-16.
The current allowed capacity at Guaranteed Rate Field is 60%, which is around 24,300 seats.
Nice to be here
Recalled Thursday, infielder/outfielder Gavin Sheets is still waiting for his first big-league start. But even if he isn’t playing, manager Tony La Russa thinks the experience of being with the Sox is valuable.
“It’s never a bad trip to come up,” La Russa said.
Brought up to replace Andrew Vaughn, Sheets was slashing 319/.360/.500 with Triple-A Charlotte. A former second-round pick, Sheets was not an alternate-site player in 2020 but has recovered to earn a trip to the Sox and at least a little time around a major-league club.
A first baseman by trade, Sheets has started 10 times in the outfield and made himself a more versatile player.
“A lot of hard work went over this last year to get ready to be in the outfield, to put myself in this position where I could do both and help this team out in any way possible at both spots,” Sheets said. “It’s extremely satisfying to be here, just with the way last year went and then to be here now and helping a team that’s in first place in the division right now, it’s incredible.”
Meanwhile, the Sox are hoping to get Vaughn (compliance with MLB COVID protocols) back soon. La Russa said the Sox were waiting on one last test for Vaughn, and were expecting good news. If all goes to plan, Vaughn could be back as early as Saturday.
Good news on Lynn
La Russa said Lance Lynn should make his next start at the regular time. Despite throwing just 89 pitches Thursday, Lynn left after six innings because La Russa said “he had a couple of areas that were barking a little bit.”
With Thursday’s win, Lynn improved to 7-1 with a 1.23 ERA. Per Elias via the team, Lynn’s ERA is the fourth-lowest by a Sox pitcher through his first 10 starts of the season. He’s behind Eddie Cicotte (0.84 in 1919, 1.06 in 1917) and Joe Benz (1.09 in 1914).
Engel update
Rehabbing at Triple-A Charlotte, Adam Engel (hamstring) will play different outfield positions this weekend to see where he’s at in his recovery.
“Everything is green light going forward,” La Russa said. “We’re excited.”
Briefly
Friday was the fifth anniversary of the trade with the Padres that sent Fernando Tatis Jr. and pitcher Erik Johnson to San Diego for starter James Shields. Shields went 16-35 with a 5.31 ERA for the Sox, while Tatis has blossomed into one of the best players in the game.
* The Sox are debuting their “Southside” City Connect uniforms Saturday.
