Lenyn

Sosa

It seemed like an injury to Austin Hays could open up a starting spot at designated hitter for Sosa, but it seems like the White Sox are content to play him only against Lefty. Dustin Harris will start in left field today with Miguel Vargas at DH. It’s unclear what Sosa could have done better last year to earn a starting spot in Chicago.

It’s a routine day off for Murakami, but it probably doesn’t hurt that the Orioles are pitching left-hander Trevor Rogers. Murakami has gone 1-for-6 with four strikeouts in eight plate appearances against lefties this season, so that could be something to watch as the season goes on. The 26-year-old has plenty of power, but is also hitting .206 with a 31 percent strikeout rate so far this season. Lenyn Sosa will start at first base and bat second with Miguel Vargas shifting to DH, and Tanner Murray entering the lineup at third base and batting sixth.

With Austin Hays landing on the IL with a hamstring strain, the White Sox needed another outfielder. Many people may have been hoping for Sam Antonacci to get the call, but the White Sox are going to give him more time in the minors. That also likely indicates that the White Sox are not looking to fill a starting role with this call-up. Harris stole 33 bases in the minors for the Rangers last year, so he will likely be a pinch runner and part-time player while Hays is out, with Andrew Benintendi moving out to left field and Lenyn Sosa getting more of a chance for regular DH at-bats.

Even though he led the White Sox with 22 homers and 75 RBI in 140 games last year, playing time seemed poised to be an issue for Sosa at the beginning of the spring. However, with Kyle Teel and Brooks Baldwin opening up on the IL, he’ll be in the lineup regularly initially, giving him a chance to prove that he should stay there. He needs to improve his defense or get his OBP up in order to be a truly useful major league regular, but as is, he’s already the kind of guy who is useful in mixed leagues while starting regularly.

Sosa ignited a three-run rally in the second inning with a leadoff double off of Justin Wrobleski. He then smacked a run-scoring single in the third inning that increased the White Sox’ advantage to 4-0 before scoring on a two-run single off the bat of Tristan Peters. The 26-year-old infielder is having a strong spring, hitting .303 (10-for-33) with two homers, seven RBI and a stolen base in 37 plate appearances. The recent injury to Kyle Teel opens the door for Sosa to see more work as the designated hitter in addition to spelling others around the infield.

Sosa got the scoring started in the second inning of this one, belting a 392-foot (110.7 mph EV) solo shot off of Trevor McDonald. He also drew a walk in the fourth inning and singled in the sixth. The 26-year-old infielder is hitting .267 (8-for-30) with a pair of homers, six RBI and one stolen base on the spring. A seemingly forgotten man following the offseason addition of Munetaka Murakami, Sosa can still make an impact for fantasy purposes if he gets regular at-bats for the White Sox.

Sosa’s home run off of Cade Cavalli was his 22nd of the season. He also has 75 RBI to go along with a .263/.292/.433 slash line. It’s been a bit of a mini breakout for the 25-year-old, and he could be intriguing in fantasy leagues next year if the White Sox can add some pieces around him.

Even in a breakout season for the 25-year-old infielder, Sosa has found himself getting regular days off down the stretch as the White Sox attempt to work everyone into their lineup. Curtis Mead will start at the hot corner on Thursday evening while Miguel Vargas slides over to cover first base against Carlos Rodon and the Yankees.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine night off for the hard-hitting infielder. Miguel Vargas will cover first base for the White Sox on Friday night while Curtis Mead will start at the hot corner and bat seventh against Padres’ right-hander Dylan Cease.

It appears to be nothing more than a routine night off for the 23-year-old slugger. Chase Meidroth will slide over and cover shortstop, Lenyn Sosa will handle second base and Curtis Mead will start at first base and bat second for the Sox against Guardians’ southpaw Parker Messick.