The White Sox have designated infielder Josh Rojas for assignment and recalled catcher Korey Lee from Triple-A Charlotte, per a team announcement. Chicago’s 40-man roster is now down to 38 players.
Rojas, 31, signed a one-year, $3.5MM contract in free agency this past offseason. The Sox and Rojas were hoping for a bounceback to the veteran infielder’s 2021-22 levels at the plate after a paid of underwhelming seasons with the bat (but solid defensive performances) in 2023-24. Instead, Rojas has missed considerable time due to a fracture in his foot and has struggled when on the field.
In 211 plate appearances with the South Siders, Rojas has turned in a bleak .180/.252/.259 slash. Rojas batted .266/.345/.401 with the D-backs in 2021-22 but has now turned in three straight sub-par years as a hitter, combining for a .223/.293/.321 output over his past 1037 plate appearances. He’s typically graded as a sound defender at both second base and third base, but in the wake of that fracture earlier this season, he’s drawn negative reviews at both positions in the estimation of metrics like Defensive Runs Saved and Outs Above Average. His average sprint speed, as measured by Statcast, fell from 27 feet per second last year to 26.2 ft/sec in 2025.
None of that is especially surprising for a player who’s entering his early 30s and is coming off a notable foot/toe injury, but it’s obviously not the season either party envisioned in free agency this past winter. The trade deadline is behind us, so the White Sox’ only course of action will be to place Rojas on outright waivers or release waivers. He’ll surely clear, as no team is going to take on the remainder of his guaranteed salary when he’s struggled this much since returning from the injured list. Rojas should draw interest on a minor league deal, whether for the remainder of the current season or in the winter with an eye toward another rebound effort in 2026.
Yes. Get Lee some ab. Covers when two catchers start. Hope Rojas hooks on with a contender.
Not upset about Rojas move- but trying to figure out having 3 catchers. Seeing they were playing both current catchers at the same time so he could be insurance. Still think Q needs more playing time.
Having three catchers means Teel and Quero can both play in the same game, with one of them taking DH at-bats.
Just stop the Andrew Benintendi fiasco already.
That Beni throw to home plate in the 9th inning yesterday was pitiful.
Exactly. He can’t play LF, either.
Just release him and move on with life.
Cubs have been carrying 3 C’s all year and Blue Jays have done it in recent years. With all 3 you can play Teel and Quero everyday, plus work Lee in late in games and PH’ing.
Cubs have not been carrying 3 catchers.
Only about 2 months too late
Since 3 catchers are on the same roster. You could move Teel to 1B/LF(and yes he did play corner outfield in college) since he’s athletic for a catcher. Let Quero and Lee catch without sacrificing the DH.
Exactly- plus Lee played corner infield spots in college, so maybe 1st base late in games. With all 3 you can play Teel and Quero everyday, plus work Lee in late in games and PH’ing.
If corner outfielder isn’t an option. One of the could move to 1B. Some failed catchers are above average 1B(Paul Konerko).
Need Sosa at 1B for his bat.
Need Sosa at DH because his glove is obviously made of stone.
May as well at this point. They were going to call Lee up on September 1 anyway as the 14th position player. Call up another OF not named Corey Julks on September 1.
The Sox will probably sell high on either Quero or Teel for a top OF prospect, so calling up Lee allows them to put those two in positions to succeed and not overwork them.
They don’t have to trade neither Quero or Teel quite yet. One of Quero or Teel could do Lee’s job as backup catcher better.
Would be silly to trade Quero or Teel!
Why do you want two top line catchers when you need at least two outfielders?