Alfredo

Gonzalez

Gonzalez had been designated for assignment by the Astros last week, so they were looking to flip him for anything they could. He’ll provide organizational catching depth for the White Sox.

The move clears a spot for A.J. Reed on the 40-man roster. Gonzalez was batting .158/.236/.205 over 44 games in Double-A and has a decent chance to pass through waivers.

He’s now off the 40-man roster. Gonzalez hit only .208/.306/.301 with four homers for Birmingham this season.

Both blasts came during a ten-run sixth inning as the JetHawks slugged their way to a 21-6 victory over High Desert. The 22-year-old hadn’t homered since 2014. He’s hit .276 with seven RBI during his six-game hitting streak. Gonzalez is batting .324 against right-handers this season but only .176 versus lefties.

The move protects the 23-year-old backstop from next month’s Rule 5 draft. Gonzalez had a terrific season offensively in 2015, slashing .321/.409/.378 with two homers and 35 RBI in 72 games between Class-A Quad Cities, High-A Lancaster and Double-A Corpus Christi.

This obviously take Gonzalez out of the running for the Astros’ backup catcher job, which became open with Max Stassi (hand) going down. He could debut at some point this season.

Gonzalez will serve as the backup to Omar Narvaez, who has become the new starting catcher for the White Sox in the wake of Welington Castillo’s performance-enhancing drug suspension. Gonzalez, 25, was batting just .169/.279/.191 in 105 plate appearances this season at the Triple-A level.

Gonzalez was pushed off the White Sox roster on Monday after going 1-for-9 with four strikeouts in his first three major league games. The 25-year-old catcher is a .233/.319/.304 career hitter in the minors and passed through waivers unclaimed.

Gonzalez was 1-for-9 with four strikeouts during his short stay at the major league level. The 25-year-old catcher is a .233/.319/.304 career hitter in the minors. It could be a while before he gets another look.