3:15pm: The club has formally announced that Mazara is on the injured list and expected to miss the beginning of the season. An official reason for the placement was not given.
6:25am: The White Sox appear to be in need of an alternative plan in the outfield. They have placed Nomar Mazara on the 10-day injured list, according to their transactions page, though manager Rick Renteria insisted yesterday that a final decision on his availability had not yet been made.
Renteria did not give much in the way of detail, but did explain that Mazara has been “under the weather,” per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. That’s the same status that was provided a few days ago when Mazara’s absence was noted. It’s a bit of an ominous statement in the age of the coronavirus, since the league’s protocols could mandate a reasonably lengthy absence, though there’s no indication as of yet that covid is involved.
If indeed the team has made an IL placement — the transactions pages have been mistaken in the past — it’ll delay Mazara’s debut with the South Siders, who acquired him from the Rangers during December’s Winter Meetings. Mazara’s a former standout prospect who never matched the hype as a member of the Rangers, with whom he slashed an underwhelming .261/.320/.435 (92 wRC+) and racked up 79 home runs in 2,189 plate appearances from 2016-19.
Based upon his track record alone, there’s not much cause for lofty expectations. But Mazara is still just 25 years old and has long been considered a major talent. As MLBTR’s George Miller explained during the spring, it’s probably too soon to say he has maxed out his potential in the majors.
In a best-case scenario for the White Sox, Mazara will form an enviable outfield trio with Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert as early as this year. As long as Mazara is on the shelf, though, Chicago may turn to some combination of Adam Engel and Leury Garcia in right field. The only other outfielders in the player pool with 40-man roster spots are Micker Adolfo, Luis Alexander Basabe, and Blake Rutherford, none of whom has yet reached the big leagues. Nicky Delmonico and Luis Gonzalez are non-roster options.
Engel becomes the starter. Take a flyer on Adolfo as a backup
That’s the nice part about having Leury Garcia, Adam Engel, and some OF depth in the minor leagues…Madrigal slides to 2B full time and Leury slides in the OF as the fantastic utility player he is. Adam Engel has also shown some pop in that bat in spring training and in these summer exhibition games.
Does this open the way for Madrigal at second if García plays right to start the season?
It shouldn’t. Garcia’s value comes from being able to play anywhere. Sticking him in one spot for extended periods, especially when you have a much better defensive player to play there in Engel, is a poor use of Garcia. Madrigal should be playing 2nd to start the season no matter what happens with Mazara.
@John Kappel, No, he shouldn’t. I can think the service time games are cheap, but they are still a reality to which the union agreed. Why would the Sox lose a full year of control over one of the top 60 prospects in baseball (top 40 according to some places) because another player gets sick for a couple weeks, especially when the general consensus seems to be that they only have an outside shot at a WC this year. Madrigal will be up a week into the season. Until then, it’ll be Engel(s) in the Outfield, and Garcia at 2B.
Normally I would agree. But the Sox are in a weak division and a game this season is the equivalent of 2.7 games in a normal season. Plus he’s not going to get any development in the minors. He’s likely going to be locked up to an extension within 3 years that will be like Ozzie albies. So being him up and win now. Put the best team on the field. Not to mention this is all going to change after the 2021 season.
I agree with this comment 100%. I was fine with Garcia manning 2b to start the season before calling up Madrigal, but ya might as well go all in at this point. Garcia is incredibly versatile and I’m a fan of his, but he’s a much better outfielder than infielder. Side note: I’ve also been impressed by Luis Alexander Basabe this ‘spring’ from a defensive standpoint. Hopefully he’ll be a regular in a year or so if Mazara doesn’t plan out. Gotta love all the depth this team has!
They still don’t have the pitching.
Garcia is better than Engel. You can still utilize Garcia’s flexibility by playing Engel in the outfield on those days that Garcia is moved around to other positions. That is after Madrigal is called up eventually.
Yeah, they really don’t need a third outfielder anyway. They got the greatest OF’er in the HISTORY of the game, in Luis Robert. So they can get by using only two.
Steve Stone has him as a blow up, in his bedroom – as well as the HOF.
Spoken like a true Cub fan
Madrigal will join club after 6 days/games.
The drum-beat for a major trade with the Yankees to bring over Brett Gardner grows ever more intense…..
Your not getting Gardner from the Yankees. This is probably his last year in pinstripes. Hopefully he retires a Yankee like he should. He has a $10 million dollar option for next season that likely won’t be picked up. You can sign him then.
I’m not so sure it’s his last year. He is a team leader and $10M is not so steep. I could even see him coming back for less on a 1-year deal ($7M?) even if not a starter. I was unaware there was a drumbeat about a trade to Chicago. Yanks aren’t trading their team leader.
If being a team leader was that important he’d be making more than ten million a year.
So you don’t think leadership is important? Or you don’t think he is a team leader?
Hopefully the Chi-Sox win the division and shut up these cocky Indian fans who have no chance to even get to a World Series. Their franchise player doesn’t even wanna play for them anymore. That’s how bad it is in beautiful Cleveland right now.
I’m a White Sox fan and I still think the Indians are a better team. Brighter future belongs to the White Sox, but for now, the Indians’ starting rotation is the best in the division (by a significant margin) and they have both Lindor and J-Ram. Regardless, both teams are behind the Twins and that killer lineup.
Yeah but the Twinkies? Their pitching is always suspect. I love when the Yankees play them. You can see the fear on the field. They can’t stop staring at the pinstripes. Who can?
That’s an old report. The Twins pitching is much improved – Berrios, Hill, Maeda, Odorizzi, Bailey is a very solid five. With their lineup that rotation is even better.
Fear on the field Lol.
Berrios, I’ll grant. Hill’s good if he’s healthy, but that’s a big if. Odorizzi and Maeda are ok, but not great. Lol at including Bailey in that. He hasn’t been good for years. That rotation is behind the Indians, for sure, and could be behind the White Sox’, too, if they get Cease or Lopez to step up or Rodon to stay healthy.
Bailey was solid last year, admittedly after years of no-shows, but he has the skills and stuff to succeed especially as a number five.
@cegmyster lol. Your right. And that’s the same reason I love to watch the Yanks play the Chisox. Chisox eyes also look scared and intimidated. Sox pitchers have proven nothing.
Odorizzi starts the season on the IL. Hill is over the hill. Bailey isn’t what he once might have been. Not sure about Maeda. Which leaves Berrios as the only reliable starter.
Braves have yonder if y’all want him back. Has nothing to do with this article… just saying… u can have him… sure the Braves can pay you to take him… might be fair :/
We wouldn’t want to deprive you of his valuable services.
Cannot believe Puig’s name has not been mentioned!
@Jukeboxbrad
Since he now has COVID-19, it might be a bit before his name is attached to any team. Plus, right now, no one knows the severity of Mazara’s injury. If Mazara’s fine by the end of the 10 days, you run the risk of having either Mazara or Puig rot on the bench most of the shortened season (unless an opportunity materializes due to an injury). It would just be another mouth to feed at the DH position with EE/Abreu/Collins. It would have to be a significant injury to Mazara for Puig to make sense for the Sox. It would be one thing if he wanted to sign a minor league deal with the Sox, but that’s not happening.
screw it, platoon engel & gonzalez and have them bat 9th until mazara recovers from whatever it is he has
Engel’s stellar D batting 9th is fine short-term to go with Robert since plenty of lineup offense elsewhere. Bigger concern is club will allow washed up Herrera to get lit up any time he is called from the pen. He and out of options Fulmer wish they would have courage to let loose.
Herrera and Fulmer are just mop up guys. They pitch when Sox are up or down 8.
In theory, except the way starters will likely go less deep into games, even bums will find themselves in close enough games. Rather have guys like Hamilton/Heuer get shot if Dunning is held back a little for service time.
@cws2019
I could see them kicking Fulmer to the curb in mid to late August if he’s that bad, but Herrera makes too much to just boot him off the team. Herrera would have to duplicate last year for the Sox to send him packing before season’s end.
Rf is the only question mark for the White Sox future starting lineup. It will be interesting to see if Mazara can become a better player with the White Sox. I wish the White Sox would just take a chance on Adolfo, Basabe, Gonzalez or Rutherford. They have alot of depth in the minors. It cant hurt them much to just give one of those guys a chance. i would like to see Basabe or Adolfo
Mazara more talented than any of those guys. I didn’t like the trade for him when Castellanos was still available (yes, yes, I know, poor defense, but it’s not like Mazara’s a defensive wizard), but now that we have him, I don’t mind giving him another year to become who he could be. He has the kind of easy power that can launch 450-ft HR’s; it’s a matter of him connecting more often. White Sox have a new hitting coach (thankfully), so maybe he can unlock Mazara’s potential.
Should he falter, though, I’d bring up Adolfo first. He’s been in the system for what feels like forever. I feel Basabe, Rutherford, and Gonzalez need a little more seasoning and should either get their shot or get traded next year.
I’ve lost track of Rutherford. Definitely liked him as a prospect when he was with the Yanks.
Curious how he’s working out for the White Sox.
Sorry but the trade was terrible for the white Sox. mazara only hit 19 home runs last year in a crazy offensive environment of baseball and specifically that ballpark in Arlington. never even hit 20 home runs. We’re dreaming on power he’s never shown and accepting a bad defensive right fielder. Steele Walker would have been better in the long run.
No argument that the trade was bad. I already said I didn’t like it. But I stand by what I said on him having more talent than any of the White Sox’ other options. Supposedly, he’s made an adjustment to his swing this year that’s been paying dividends, so we’ll have to wait and see.
@hyraxwithaflamethrower
I agree. Even though they could’ve done better than Mazara, he’s their best option right now. Adolfo’s probably the closest in raw talent, but that’s not exactly saying a lot. Though if Adolfo could ever stay healthy, he might’ve been their starting RF this season and they wouldn’t have needed to trade for Mazara this Winter.
Gotta love those “ifs”.
@Chi Town Hype
Personally, I’d like to see Adolfo, but with all his injuries the last few years, I don’t know if he’s ready.
Scooter Gennet just got released. He would be a nice stop gap until Madrigal gets called up. He could play 2nd while Mazara is out and allow Leury to play RF.we need more depth on this team!
He’s gotta stay healthy. But if they can sign him to a minor league deal then do it. He’s also played RF in the past
With Mazara on the IL, I would definitely go with the 4 C’s (I possibly would’ve before, but definitely now). Doesn’t directly help the RF situation, but with Engel, Leury, and Mendick covering either RF or 2B, they should be ok the first 6 or 7 games (assuming none of those 3 get injured themselves). After that, if nothing else, at least you have Madrigal’s team control situation taken care of and you can stick him in at 2nd.
How about all you arm chair GMs just let Rick Hahn do what he does best. Thx in advance.
Sign George Springer?
Build teams that can’t reach 500?
The rebuild began in earnest 3 years ago when the Sox traded Sale and Eaton. This is the 4th year and they’re widely expected to finish above .500 with a revamped lineup and more consistent pitching staff. I’d say the rebuild is coming along on schedule. The Astros lost 106+ games from 2011 to 2013, but didn’t make any noise until 2017, the 7th season of the rebuild (and that’s with help from a garbage can). There’s still a lot of time for the rebuild to be a success, especially since several of their young studs have signed extensions.
@maximumvelocity
You can’t really blame Hahn for the last 3 years. You can blame him all you want before the Sale trade. You can’t really judge Hahn this year either, unless by some miracle they win the WS, which won’t happen.
If the Sox lose 85+ in ’21, then yes, by all means fire Hahn, but you got to give him a chance to show some success now that the ugly part of the rebuild is over. Now if he makes a litany of stupid moves the next several months that stalls or changes the direction of the rebuild, then again, fire him. Otherwise, give him a chance. And I wasn’t crazy about some of the Winter moves, but I don’t think they were damaging enough to stall the rebuild.