The White Sox announced that outfielder Travis Jankowski was designated for assignment. The move was made to create a roster spot for Mike Tauchman, who has now been activated from the 10-day injured list.
Tauchman suffered a hamstring strain during Spring Training, which opened the door for Jankowski (who signed a minor league deal in March) to make the Opening Day roster as part of Chicago’s outfield mix. Jankowski has appeared in seven of the team’s eight games, playing right and center field while hitting .214/.267/.214 in the small sample size of 15 plate appearances.
This brief stint made it 11 straight seasons of MLB action for Jankowski, who has spent most of his career in a part-time or platoon capacity with seven different teams. Jankowski has been outrighted off a 40-man roster in the past, so if he clears DFA waivers in the next few days, he has the right to elect free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate.
It isn’t out of the question that Jankowski could be claimed off waivers, or that a team in need of outfield help could arrange a trade with the White Sox during the DFA period. Jankowski’s left-handed bat and his ability to play all three outfield positions makes him a useful depth piece, plus he is a well-known veteran presence who has made a lot of connections during his lengthy career.
As for Tauchman, he is now set to make his White Sox debut after signing a one-year, $1.95MM free agent deal with the team during the offseason. Tauchman is coming off a pair of solid seasons with the Cubs, and the Peoria native will now look to continue that steady play on the other side of Chicago. Since the Sox are firmly in rebuild mode, Tauchman is a prime candidate to be traded before the deadline, particularly if he replicates the 110 wRC+ he posted in 2023-24.
Darn. I was hoping they’d lean into the all defense- zero hit tool outfield alignment
That could still be the case with Tauchman!
Don’t worry. They still are.
Here’s hoping Detroit is awake at the wheel. I am concerned that Meadows has no timeline fro return.
Detroit should definitely take a look especially if he can play center field well.
Mike Tauchman is not a Peoria, Illinois “native”. He was born and raised in the northwest Chicago suburb of Palatine where was also a star baseball and football player at William Fremd High School.
Tauchman’s Peoria connection came later when he starred as a baseball player at Bradley University. 🙂
Did he ever learn the football slider?
The “football slider” wasn’t a thing yet when Mike Tauchman played high school baseball and football before graduating from Fremd High School in 2009.
Tauchman was a multi-sports conference rival of future NFL quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who also pitched for the Rolling Meadows High School Mustangs. It’s possible that Tauchman and Garoppolo exchanged some pointers as rival baseball players and prep QB’s in the Illinois Mid-Suburban League high school conference.
Tauchman actually led a second-half comeback against felloe QB Garoppolo in a game during his senior year.
Cliff Clavin: fun at parties
He loves beetabegas.
One of his nicknames is “The Peoria Pounder”
“That what she said” – M. Scott
White Sox are in for another terrible season. It’s too bad we didn’t have a commissioner with some stones who would fine teams that don’t try to win in the Major leagues. 45 years with Jerry has been a nightmare. I’m a Sox fan for 65 years and have a hard time watching
Especially hard to watch since Comcast doesn’t carry them.
DirectTv does. And games are available for free over the air. Maybe the problem is paying $200+ for basic cable
Tauchman will play just as bad if not worse than Jankowski. It would make a bit of difference.
Why are the Sox giving up on 2023 World Series champion, Travis Jankowski?
Mike Tauchman is from Palatine,IL not Peoria.
Jankowski will find a home, he’s always been a good defender. Tauchman puts up decent numbers and he’s a trade chip at the deadline.