White Sox add a veteran outfield bat in Randal Grichuk after placing Austin Hays on the injured list with a calf strain.
Prior to Monday night's game against the Los Angeles Angels in a new three-game series, the Chicago White Sox have made another roster move, bringing in a veteran to the outfield mix.
The White Sox have officially signed 34-year-old outfielder Randal Grichuk to a one-year, $1.25 million MLB deal, while placing outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain.
An IL stint for Hays was easy to see coming after back-to-back off days on Saturday and Sunday in San Diego, and it was all but confirmed when Will Venable did not call on him to pinch hit against Mason Miller in the ninth inning.
Grichuk was with the New York Yankees earlier this season after signing a minor league contract in the offseason and making the Opening Day roster. He was DFA'd by New York on April 29 and elected free agency on May 1 after batting .194 with a .535 OPS in 16 games.
That being said, Grichuk’s numbers are skewed by a slow start to the season. He went 0-for-13 at the plate over his first nine games. Over his last seven contests, Grichuk is batting .333 with an .871 OPS, four doubles, and two RBIs.
Grichuk has played in 1,376 games over his 13-year career, including a 31-homer season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019. He posted an .875 OPS with 12 home runs as recently as 2024 with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
For the White Sox, it is a pretty welcome addition. Chicago has been cycling through outfielders all season long, and with Everson Pereira and Austin Hays both now injured, another veteran bat who can provide competent at-bats is a welcome sight. The White Sox cannot afford to continue giving regular playing time to someone like Luisangel Acuña. Jarred Kelenic may not have a particularly long leash either, given his 1-for-6 start offensively and the fact that he has no minor league options remaining.
At a prorated $1.25 million, there is very limited risk for the White Sox in bringing in Grichuk temporarily. If it does not work, he is an easy veteran to move on from. But if the White Sox can tap into any of the production the Diamondbacks got from him in 2024 and 2025, he will help them win more games while allowing younger players to develop.
At 16-18, the White Sox are just 1.5 games back in the AL Central. And while it is far too early to be locked in on the standings, any transaction that helps them play more competitive baseball in the short or long term is worth respecting.
Grichuk is not in the starting lineup for the White Sox on Monday night, as Will Venable deploys Sam Antonacci, Tristan Peters, and Jarred Kelenic in the outfield, but he should be available off the bench if a left-handed reliever enters the game.