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Willy Garcia's agent tweeted this morning that the outfielder has been called up.
Congratulations to Willy Garcia on being called up to the show @whitesox @UABaseball @wilsonballglove @MaxBatBaseball #ballplayerstrust pic.twitter.com/EV2nhVyyzn
— Rafael Antun (@RafaelAntun) April 13, 2017
No confirmation from anywhere else as of yet but his agent is a pretty good source.
Obviously there will need to be a corresponding move but there isn't much on a tea leaves to read, as there are no reported injuries and it's pretty early in the season to be making a change based on (non-)performance. If it's the latter, though, Jacob May certainly has done himself no favors.
Garcia was named International League Player of the Week yesterday and is batting .423/.559/.692 in 34 PA this season for Charlotte.
The White Sox claimed the 24 year old off waivers from Pittsburgh in January. He profiles best as a right fielder, thanks to a very strong arm. The Dominican is a very toolsy player but plate discipline issues have thus far derailed his ability to tap into his plus power. Chris Getz spoke yesterday to Daryl Van Schouwen and praised Garcia's improvements in spring training and so far this season.
Then again, update:
White Sox say no roster moves have been announced, and Willy Garcia will not be joining the team in Cleveland today
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) April 13, 2017
Update: Now the White Sox have announced a roster move, but it's independent of Garcia:
It said they expect to put Melky on the paternity list tomorrow. He’ll be back Monday. https://t.co/FQUFwWlhGq
— Write Sox (@WriteSox) April 13, 2017
Update: The White Sox posted and deleted a tweet about Melky Cabrera going on the paternity list for the weekend series against Minnesota.
@WriteSox Strangely I can still see it pic.twitter.com/RWIdvbMm2Q
— Michael Sprake (@Mikey_PCS) April 13, 2017
This would explain a few things, such as why Garcia now (he's the best direct positional replacement on the 40-man roster), and why the timing of the move tripped up the agent into expressing congratulations prematurely.
Update: Now the beat writers are tweeting the Cabrera part, so it looks like the puzzle is complete.
Melky expected to go on Paternity List Friday. Corresponding move on Friday
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) April 13, 2017