Gamethread: A’s at White Sox (doubleheader)

It’s a double-dose of Garcías this afternoon for the Chicago White Sox, in the opener of a straight doubleheader hosting the Oakland A’s.

To make room for Avisaíl and Leury, José Rondón was shipped back down to Charlotte and Trayce Thompson was designated for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster.

Avisaíl García went on the disabled list on April 24, with a strained right hamstring. He played seven rehab games for the Charlotte Knights, hitting .360 with three doubles, three home runs and nine RBIs. Avisaíl is hitting .233 in the majors this season, with one homer and four RBIs in 18 games.

Leury sprained his left knee on a slide into third base on May 23, and went on the DL the next day. He hit .429 in four rehab games in Charlotte, with three doubles. For the White Sox in 2018, Leury is batting .262 with three doubles, two triples, two home runs and 14 RBIs in 39 games.

Rondón, who batted cleanup in a couple of games immediately after his second recall from Charlotte, has hit .245 with three doubles, three home runs, six RBIs and eight runs in 22 games. The first of his three homers this season was also the first of his major league career.

Thompson hit .116 with three homers and nine RBIs in 51 games with the Sox in 2018. He was acquired in a de facto straight swap for Tyler Saladino on April 19. Thompson playing in roughly 85% of White Sox games since his acquisition in spite of having one of the worst 100 at-bat stat lines in White Sox (and major league) history is a testament to the utter awfulness of the current Chicago outfield.

As a DFA, Thompson is exposed to the waiver wire. If no one sees potential in his overall .117/.162/.211 slash this season, he’ll presumably report to Charlotte.

The White Sox 40-man roster is down to 38, priming the pump for possible second-half promotions?

Today, Avisaíl takes his customary spot in right field, batting second, while Leury bats sixth and plays left.

Also, word for James Fegan is that Thyago Vieira is expected to be identified as the 26th man for the White Sox today.

For the A’s:

The nightcap will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the opener, but no earlier than 7:10 p.m. Old friend Chris Bassitt is scheduled to start for Oakland, Lucas Giolito for the White Sox.

I’ll be your host for today’s gamethread and first game recap, and Michael Kenny reclaims his postponed game from yesterday to bring things home in the nightcap.

OK, well, barf, the opener sucked. Before I pass the mic over to the charming and delightful Michael Kenny, here are the lineups for the nightcap:

Oakland makes you watch a groovy animation to get their starting lineup:

And finally, White Sox media, ever charming:

Ladies and gentlemen, they’ll be here all night. Remember to tip your waitress.