White Sox outfielder Austin Slater underwent surgery to address a meniscus tear in his right knee yesterday, the team informed reporters (including Scott Merkin of MLB.com). He’ll be sidelined for 4-6 weeks.
Slater went on the injured list over the weekend. The right-handed hitter has appeared in eight games this season. He’s started 5-20 with a home run and a couple doubles. The Sox have given him 10 plate appearances against right-handed and left-handed opponents alike. He’s mostly been a short-side platoon bat throughout his career. Slater is a .270/.362/.431 hitter against southpaws. He has fanned in 33% of plate appearances against righty pitching, putting up a .230/.316/.334 slash.
The White Sox made a handful of modest one-year free agent pickups over the offseason. Slater was the first of those additions. He signed for a $1.75MM guarantee with another $500K in performance bonuses. The incentives range from 50 to 100 games and 100 to 300 plate appearances, so he could unlock most or all of those bonuses as long as his rehab process goes as expected.
Slater is one of three outfielders on Chicago’s injured list. They’re also without Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman for the moment. Michael A. Taylor is playing every day in left field. Lefty-swinging Joshua Palacios and switch-hitter Brooks Baldwin have been operating as a right field platoon.
White Sox aren’t making the playoffs if Slater misses time
Not sure if this helps, but his grandfather was mayor of Jacksonville, Florida.
FOREVER GIANT
I’d bet good money the Giants will win more games than the White Sox over the next 4-6 weeks while Slater is out.
Giants might win more games while Slater is out than the Chisox win all season.
That’s a deep thought, seamonster.
Doesn’t matter if it’s Austin Slater, Christian Slater, or A.C. Slater the White Sox aren’t making the playoffs
So you’re saying their season came to a Screeching halt before it began?
Benintendi’s back now, so Slater can miss a few weeks. I’m more concerned about the lack of a closer situation for the playoffs. Clevinger doesn’t look like a fit as a stopper. Maybe grab Mason Miller from the A’s. Or, Sergio Santos is not THAT far removed from a 30-save season and he’s down in AAA Charlotte.
Owww. Hope Slater Kinney gets back soon. Will be a chance to Dig Me out of the deficit they’ve accumulated
At 1/10th of the season completed, White Sox W/L record was 4-12. And that’s BEFORE trading away anybody good at the deadline. So, is 120 losses even avoidable this season?
I’ve had torn-meniscus surgery. The 4-6 weeks recovery time frame is dead on.
Mortality rates are often in the range of 0.008% to 0.317%. Thoughts and prayers that he survives the surgery.