The White Sox finally pulled the plug on arguably their worst player today, designating veteran infielder Josh Rojas for assignment earlier this afternoon. In a corresponding move, the team also recalled catcher Korey Lee from Triple-A Charlotte. The 40-man roster now stands at 38.
Free Agent Bust
When the team signed Rojas to a one-year/$3.5 million contract in early January, it felt like a quality signing. The 31-year-old had traditionally put up quality at-bats from the left side and could play just about anywhere in the field defensively. For a young team like the White Sox, adding a veteran presence with a track record of quality MLB production made sense.
Unlike fellow veteran free agent signings Mike Tauchman, Michael A. Taylor, and Austin Slater, who ended up being successful acquisitions given the circumstances, Rojas struggled mightily in his stint on the south side, hitting just .180 in 211 plate appearances while recording a .512 OPS and -1.5 bWAR. He was also one of the worst defenders in the sport per Baseball Savant, grading out in just the 5th percentile in outs above average.
White Sox Crowded Infield
The White Sox infield situation has become significantly more crowded as the season has progressed. Chase Meidroth, Brooks Baldwin, Colson Montgomery, and Curtis Mead have all entered the picture since Opening Day, along with regulars Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa also occupying spots. Rojas’ playing time had dwindled significantly as the season continued, recording just 19 plate appearances in August. Given his lackluster production and the emergence of other players, he became a casualty of the numbers game. He will certainly clear waivers, leaving the White Sox on the hook for his remaining salary.
Korey Lee
Lee, 27, has spent the bulk of the season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights where he has slashed a mediocre .255/.313/.405 across 240 plate appearances. He has shown the ability to hit for power, though, hitting 12 home runs in 125 games with the White Sox last year and eight homers in 55 games with the Knights in 2025. He also has a cannon arm and graded out as one of the best catchers in MLB in pop time last year.
Additional Flexibility
With the White Sox now carrying three catchers, manager Will Venable can feel more at ease with putting Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero in the lineup together knowing there is an emergency catcher on the bench. Venable also told reporters before tonight’s game that Lee could serve as a “swiss army knife,” potentially seeing time in the infield and outfield. His presence opens up the door for more versatility and the ability to consistently put the best possible lineup on the field.
The White Sox got better as a team today. It is a textbook example of addition by subtraction. Parting ways with Josh Rojas had to happen. It is an encouraging sign that the team has enough talent to cut ties with a negative value player.
