Mark

Payton

The 32-year-old outfielder finally got the White Sox on the board in the seventh inning, crushing a solo shot off of veteran right-hander Kirby Yates. That pulled them to within 13 runs at 14-1. Payton then chipped away some more with a two-run single in the eighth inning, but it was too little, too late for the White Sox. He’s now 2-for-5 (.400) with three runs scored in his limited Cactus League action so far.

Payton left the White Sox’ organization after the 2022 season to join the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. There, he hit just .220/.294/.331 with six homers and 36 RBI in 323 plate appearances. The 31-year-old will add outfield depth for the White Sox.

The release clears the way for Payton to sign with the Seibu Lions of the Nippon Professional Baseball league in Japan. The 31-year-old crushed Triple-A pitching in 2022, and will get a chance to show off his skill set internationally in the 2023 campaign.

Payton had recently signed a minor league contract with the Chicago White Sox but has decided to join the Seibu Lions in Japan. The 31-year-old spent most of the 2023 season in Triple-A Charlotte and slashed .293/.369/.539 with 25 round trippers and 15 steals in 539 plate appearances.

Payton was non-tendered by the White Sox earlier this month and has elected to remain with the organization on a new deal as organizational outfield depth. The 30-year-old outfielder got into eight games last year for Chicago and also hit .293/.369/.539 with 25 homers and 15 steals in 539 plate appearances over 119 games for Triple-A Charlotte.

Payton has typically been a terrific Triple-A hitter, but as a major leaguer, he’s come in at .164/.261/.180 in 69 plate appearances. He turns 31 next month, so it’s probably time for him to look at Korea or Japan to continue his career.

Payton has been brought back from the minors to replace an injured Luis Robert (hand) on the White Sox’ active roster.

Payton was up for a handful of games recently with the White Sox dealing with a few injuries to their outfield regulars. The 30-year-old journeyman will head back to the minors after getting into just one game for Chicago.

It’s the first trip to the big leagues on the season for the 30-year-old outfielder. He had been hitting .289/.365/.522 with 20 homers, 77 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 104 games at Triple-A. He’ll provide depth in the outfield while Luis Robert is away on paternity leave.

Payton appeared in 24 games with the Reds last year, hitting .182/.250/.182 across 24 plate appearances. He spent the majority of the 2021 campaign at the Triple-A level between the Reds and Mets organizations. The 30-year-old journeyman, who was non-tendered by New York back in November, will provide the White Sox with some extra outfield depth entering this season.