If you look back at the free agent signings for the White Sox this past offseason it’s been a net gain, right? I mean, yeah, signing Kelvin Herrera when he’s been on the decline to a two-year deal wasn’t the brightest idea, but it looks like Rick Hahn struck gold with catcher James McCann. And hey, remember the other big free agent signing?
You probably forgot all about Jon Jay, but after being MIA since spring training, the veteran outfielder is finally back in action.
Jay started his rehab assignment Monday night in Double-A, coming back from a groin injury.
Before that, Jay’s only game action since March has been at extended spring training.
The White Sox brought in Jay to play right field, while being able to play all three outfield spots as well. Right now Charlie Tilson and Ryan Cordell have been platooning. When Jay returns it’s a safe bet that he’ll take one of their spots on the roster.
So far in 86 at-bats with the White Sox this season, Cordell is slashing .233/.320/.384, with three home runs.
Meanwhile, since Tilson was called up in early May to replace Adam Engel, he’s been OK, hitting .272, with a .330 OBP in 27 games. But his defense has been ugly to say the least.
While Jay isn’t a huge difference maker, he still brings a solid bat to the lineup. In 2018, he hit .307 and had a .363 OBP in 59 games with the Royals, who then traded him to the Diamondbacks. His numbers did take a dip with Arizona, but he’s still a career .352 OBP guy and in 2018, he put up a .374 OBP with the Cubs.
There’s no set timetable on his return, but it looks like Jay will be playing with the White Sox soon.
