SURPRISE, Ariz. — Veteran outfielder/first baseman Joey Gallo, who struggled miserably at the plate this spring, was granted his unconditional release by the White Sox Sunday. Gallo was 2-for-20 with two singles and one walk while striking out 11 times.
Then came the surprise: Gallo announcing on social media that he wants to be a pitcher.
“It’s been fun in the outfield,” Gallo posted on a video of him throwing out baserunners. “Just to be clear, I will be pitching.”
A two-time All-Star with the Rangers, Gallo owns a .194/.319/.456 career hitting line with 208 homers and 1,292 strikeouts in 10 seasons. The Sox signed him to a minor league contract with an invite to spring training.
“Talking to Joey this morning, [we] just came to a mutual agreement that [releasing him] was the best thing,” said Sox manager Will Venable, who had Gallo penciled in to play the Rangers. “Wish him luck as he starts a new chapter as a pitcher and appreciate his dedication and his effort to the White Sox while he was here.”
Rojas has sprained big toe
Infielder Josh Rojas has a sprained big right toe and is day-to-day.
Rojas was hurt tagging out a runner at third base Saturday. He finished the inning but then came out of the game.
He was wearing a walking boot Sunday.
“It’s still a little sore this morning so precautionary,” Venable said. “Get him some treatment and continue to evaluate. He’ll be day to day.”
Rojas has played second base, third base and shortstop this spring while batting .313/.353/.406 with three doubles in 11 games
Adams update
Right-hander Mason Adams, projected to debut at some point this season but sidelined with a flexor strain in his right elbow, “is hoping for the best, praying for the best” in his recovery.
“It’s tough but it is what it is,” Adams said two days after taking himself out of his start against the Reds. “Sets me up to deal with it. Rehab, and hopefully come back stronger and keep doing what I was doing.”
Adams said another doctor will check the elbow before a timetable for his return is determined.
“Thought it was a good spring,” said Adams, a strike thrower who struck out eight, walked one and allowed four runs over 7 1/3 innings this spring. “Competitive the whole time, learned a lot, going to try and keep that going when I come back.
“Just getting out there to compete and show them and show myself that I can compete against those guys was good for me.”
Adams is the Sox’ No. 13 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
Robert Jr. in better position, Thames says
Center fielder Luis Robert Jr., batting .300/.417/.533 in 12 games, is coming off his worst season.
“His body just wasn’t in the right position,” hitting coach Marcus Thames said. “He was
diving across, and cutting himself off and didn’t like that breaking ball down and away. It looked like a strike because his body wasn’t in the right position. This spring he [is laying off] a lot of pitches that are down and away and not chasing.”
Notes
Catcher Korey Lee is batting .500 with 1.342 OPS over his last seven games.
*Corner infielder Miguel Vargas owns a six-game hitting streak and is batting .393/455/.571 with a 1.026 OPS in 11 games.
*Infielder Brandon Drury led the Cactus League with 10 extra-base hits and seven doubles and was second with 29 total bases entering Sunday.