Nick

Williams

Williams was a highly-touted prospect last decade and hasn’t appeared in the majors since getting into four games for the White Sox during the 2021 campaign.

Williams wound up appearing in four games for the White Sox this season, going hitless in 10 at-bats. The 27-year-old former top prospect hasn’t put it together at the big-league level, and struggled in the minors this season, hitting .262/.314/.429 with four homers and four steals across 138 plate appearances at Triple-A Charlotte. There’s still a chance another organization takes a shot on him as a reclamation project.

Williams was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Tim Anderson. He’ll be an option for Chicago this summer, but in order to be added back the White Sox will need to create room on the 40-man roster.

The move clears out a roster spot for Tim Anderson, who is back from a left hamstring strain on Thursday. Williams, 27, went 0-for-10 with four strikeouts and one walk during his short stay with Chicago.

Nick Williams will get the nod in left field and bat fifth versus Cleveland right-hander Shane Bieber. Vaughn has started just five of a possible 11 games through the early part of the regular season.

Vaughn has now started just three of a possible eight games for Chicago, and he’s only played a full nine innings once. Nick Williams will start in left field and hit seventh Thursday versus righty Brad Keller.

Williams will fill the 26-man roster spot left vacant by Billy Hamilton, who landed on the injured list Thursday with a left hamstring strain. Williams, 27, is a career .254/.313/.420 hitter at the major league level.

Bob Nightengale of USA Today says that Williams will make $900,000 if he’s in the majors. The former top prospect struggled mightily in 2019 and has been designated for assignment twice since last August. He’s still just 27, though, so he’s worth a shot on a minor league deal.

Williams cleared waivers after being designated for assignment and will remain in the organization as outfield depth.

Williams was claimed off waivers from the Phillies a month ago, but he hasn’t appeared in a game with the Reds. It will be interesting to see if another team takes a chance on him.