Before Wednesday’s game against the Royals, the White Sox placed the veteran outfielder on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain. In a corresponding move, infielder Nick Maton was called up from Triple-A Charlotte.
This is Benintendi’s second stint on the IL this season. He was previously sidelined in April with a left adductor strain. The 10-year MLB veteran also entered the season banged up, having missed several weeks of Spring Training due to a non-displaced fracture in his right hand.
Despite the setback, Benintendi suited up for Opening Day wearing a brace on his right hand. The injury didn’t seem to slow him down early — he led the White Sox over the first 10 games with a .290 average, two home runs, six RBIs, and an .817 OPS.
But more recently, signs of trouble emerged. In his last seven games, Benintendi slashed just .167/.286/.288 over 24 at-bats. He experienced soreness in his left calf while running to first during Sunday’s game against the Astros and was later pulled for a pinch-hitter in the sixth inning.
Manager Will Venable said Monday that the team hoped Benintendi could still be available off the bench to pinch-hit. But by Tuesday, the White Sox chose caution and placed him on the IL to prevent a more serious injury.
Benintendi is in the third year of a five-year, $75 million contract — the richest in franchise history. He’s currently batting .224 with five home runs and a .698 OPS on the season.
