LaMonte

Wade Jr.

Wade made an immediate impact on the Astros, going 4-for-12 with a home run in his first four games with the team before injurint his hamstring while running the bases. He will likely miss a few weeks and could return to a regular role in the outfield provided the Astros don’t trade for another hitter between now and his return.

Wade suffered the apparent injury while legging out a run-scoring double in the sixth inning and left the field with a trainer. He finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and one walk. The 32-year-old signed a one-year deal with the Astros last week and was playing in just his fourth game with the club. There should be an update on his status after the contest.

The 32-year-old had hit .250/.420/.441 with seven homers in 201 plate appearances at Triple-A Charlotte before requesting his release from the White Sox on June 1. He’ll jump right into action with the Astros, starting in left field and batting fifth against Pirates’ right-hander Jared Jones on Thursday evening in Houston.

The 29-year-old outfielder had started each of the team’s previous five games in center field. Taylor Trammell will slide over and cover center field on Thursday evening while LaMonte Wade Jr. draws a start in left field and will bat fifth against Pirates’ right-hander Jared Jones.

It’s unclear if Wade will be sent to the minors or if he’ll actually get a MLB roster spot at this time, but he was hitting .250/.420/.441 with seven homers for Triple-A Charlotte before requesting his release on June 1.

It’s unclear if this was at the veteran’s request. Wade was hitting .250/.420/.441 with seven homers in 221 plate appearances for Triple-A Charlotte.

The White Sox released Wade Jr. after spring training when he didn’t make the big league club. After taking a week to survey his other options, he’s back with them and will report to Triple-A Charlotte. He made a strong case to get a major league roster spot in camp with a .289/.429/.605 slash line over 49 plate appearances and is just one year removed from a two-season stretch with a .777 OPS working as a strong-side platoon starter with the Giants.

All four players were signed to minor-league contracts with invites to spring training, and all four will be given a chance to play elsewhere rather than reassigned to minor-league camp. Wade has the most MLB success for the four, and his ability to hit left-handed pitching makes him likely to find a new landing spot relatively quickly.

Wade continues to fight for a spot on the White Sox’ Opening Day roster and he made a strong case on Thursday. He opened the scoring in the top half of the first inning with a two-run blast off of Michael King. He then got King again in the third inning with a solo shot that tied the game at 6-6. The 32-year-old also drew a pair of walks, reaching base safely in each of his four plate appearances. For the spring, he’s slashing .289/.429/.605 with three homers, nine RBI and a pair of stolen bases in 49 plate appearances.

The 32-year-old victimized Rangers’ right-hander Alexis Diaz in the fourth inning of this one, crushing a full-count slider for a 399-foot (106.7 mph EV) two-run shot that put the White Sox ahead to stay. That would be his only hit in three at-bats on the day. He’s hitting just .182 (2-for-11) to start the spring, so he’ll need more moments like this if he’s going to secure a spot on the club’s Opening Day roster.