Tim

Elko

Elko returns to Chicago a couple weeks after being non-tendered. The 26-year-old first baseman posted some impressive power numbers at the Triple-A level but flopped in his first taste of the majors, hitting .134/.194/.328 in 72 plate appearances for the White Sox. He’ll be sidelined at the outset of next season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

All three players are now free agents. Tauchman has the most MLB success of the trio, but all three have had enough success to suggest they’ll be with new clubs next year. That’s the nicest thing we can say. It is worth noting that Elko underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, however, and likely won’t be ready until the middle of 2026.

It’s unclear when the injury happened. Elko was sent back to Triple-A at the beginning of September after hitting .134/.194/.328 in 72 plate appearances for the White Sox. The 26-year-old hit .292/.361/.575 with 24 homers in 355 plate appearances at Triple-A, so there is some intriguing power potential here, but Elko is expected to miss around eight months, which would put him back around July, if all goes well. That will give Curtis Mead a chance to earn more at-bats in 2026 if the White Sox are willing to move Lenyn Sosa and Miguel Vargas off of first base.

Elko, who was called up after Miguel Vargas got hurt, got just five at-bats in his week with the White Sox. It seems like he deserves more of a chance after hitting .292/.361/.575 with 24 homers in 355 plate appearances in Triple-A, but he’s thus far come in at .134/.194/.328 in 72 plate appearances in the majors.

The 26-year-old slugger will get another opportunity to show what he can do at the big league level with Miguel Vargas (wrist) landing on the injured list. Elko has hit just .145 (9-for-62) with four homers and eight RBI in 20 games with the White Sox this season.

Elko will remain in the minors after wrapping up a rehab assignment over the weekend. The 26-year-old first baseman hit the injured list back in mid-July with a right knee sprain. He’s batted .145 (9-for-62) with four homers, eight RBI and one steal in 20 games at the highest level this season.

Elko hit the injured list between games of Friday’s doubleheader after getting hurt in the opening contest of the twin bill. No word yet on the severity of the injury, which will determine exactly how much time he misses coming out of the All-Star break. The 26-year-old rookie slugger has gone deep four times in 20 games this season with the White Sox.

The severity of the injury — as well as how much time the 26-year-old slugger may stand to miss — are not yet known. Stay tuned, as the White Sox should have an update on his status after the game.

With Brooks Baldwin (back) landing on the IL, Elko will get another shot at the big leagues after hitting .155/.222/.379 with a 24/5 K/BB ratio in 63 plate appearances earlier this season. Elko is right into the starting lineup, playing first base and batting seventh on Wednesday against the Blue Jays.

While Elko has flashed his trademark power at the major league level with four homers in his first 63 plate appearances, he has done so while slashing a woeful .155/.222/.379 with a 24/5 K/BB ratio. He’ll return to an everyday role at Triple-A Charlotte to continue to refine his approach. Ryan Noda was recalled from Triple-A to take his place on the White Sox’ active roster.