The White Sox announced they’ve selected outfielder Mark Payton onto the MLB roster in advance of tonight’s game with the Twins. He’ll take the roster spot of center fielder Luis Robert, who’s going on paternity leave. To create a 40-man roster spot, reliever Aaron Bummer has been transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list.
Payton, 30, signed a minor league contract with Chicago in Spring Training. He’s spent the year at Triple-A Charlotte, putting up an impressive .289/.365/.522 line with 20 home runs and 11 stolen bases over 465 plate appearances. He’s made a strong impact from a power perspective, walked at a quality 9.7% clip and is striking out in fewer than 15% of his trips to the dish. It’s the latest in a long line of excellent Triple-A showings for the University of Texas product, who now carries a .295/.369/.509 line over parts of six seasons at the minors highest level.
A Chicago native, Payton will now add some outfield insurance to the bench for acting manager Miguel Cairo. He’s covered all three outfield positions in the minors, although he only worked in the corners during a 32-game MLB cameo with the 2020-21 Reds (his only big league experience to date). It could be a brief stint, with Robert expected back imminently.
Players on the paternity list are permitted to miss between one and three games. Regardless of how long he remains on the active roster, Payton’s call-up marks a deserved recognition of his strong Triple-A production. He does still have a minor league option year remaining, so the White Sox could move him back to Charlotte without taking him off the 40-man roster upon Robert’s return if they’re so inclined.
Bummer’s transfer is no more than a formality. He’s ruled out for 60 days from the time of his initial IL placement on June 9, meaning he’s eligible for reinstatement whenever he’s ready to return. Bummer began a rehab assignment in Charlotte on Wednesday and figures to make it back to Guaranteed Rate Field within the next couple weeks.
I would have liked to see Colas get a Sept call up for the White Sox. Same with Yolbert Sanchez and Cespedes..
Colas seems to be their future right fielder.
Scouting grades:
Hit 50
Power 60
Run 50
Arm 65
Field 50
.926 OPS at AA. In 150 ab – 11 HR, 26 RBI
Chisox should have called up this guy in April.
Quite possibly the only thing we’ve ever agreed on
That’s so sweet
Remember him from the Trenton Thunder. Good for him.
Robert’s wife better be having that baby tonight and he better be back in the field tomorrow. You have January-June to pull the goalie..
What is this? The groupies of the Chicago White Sox?
I think Robert has bigger issues, like learning.. once again.. how to slide feet first. His wrist appears shot, cause his swings since that injury are godawful and show he obviously has more going on there than what has been said.
Miguel “la Cara” Cairo
Unless I forgot how to add, I count 41 players in the Sox 40 man roster. And, yes, I know those in the 60 day DL don’t count. I still count 41. Where am I wrong?
Chicago sports teams seem to have pretty good luck with athletes named Payton.
Payton a St.Rita guy, I’m stoked. he has been solid all season in minors, he deserves it.