GLENDALE, Ariz. — Shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery’s major league debut will have to wait.
It won’t come on Opening Day as the White Sox’ 2021 first-round was aiming for. The Sox optioned the 23-year-old to Triple-A Charlotte Tuesday along with right-handers Nick Nastrini and Owen White. First baseman Tim Elko was reassigned to minor league camp.
Montgomery was 1-for-9 with a home run this spring and handled shortstop without any hiccups, but he missed 10 days due to back spasms, returning Sunday to play four innings against the Reds. He was 0-for-2 with a strikeout in that game.
“You make decisions like this in the best interests of Colson and the Chicago White Sox,” general manager Chris Getz told reporters Tuesday.
“Most importantly we want the front end of the year to be really productive and lock in on what he’s working on.”
On Monday, manager Will Venable said the time Montgomery missed wouldn’t hinder his chances of making the team, but the Sox don’t believe Montgomery is quite ready yet.
“The conversation went well,” Getz said. “Colson listened to what we had to say and he handled it like a pro. We explained to him how important he is to the organization and the future of the White Sox.
“He had a hiccup with health that maybe made spring training less smooth than he would have liked but he’s working really hard. I was impressed with his defense. He was great with the routine play. Minor league camp is in full go, he can get consistent at-bats. I look forward to watching the rest of spring play out for him. We all know he’ll be in Chicago before we know it.”
Shortstop options for the Sox include Josh Rojas, Lenyn Sosa, Chase Meidroth and Brooks Baldwin from the 40-man roster and Jacob Amaya, who is in camp on a minor league deal.
With the moves, the Sox 54 players remaining in camp, including 15 infielders.