The White Sox traded infielder Lenyn Sosa to Toronto on Monday for minor-league outfield prospect Jordan Rich and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
At-bats had been hard to come by this season for Sosa, who led the Sox last year with 22 homers, 137 hits and 75 RBI, but was a defensive liability over his five seasons on the South Side.
The 26-year-old, who hit 7-for-33 with with three doubles in 12 games before his departure, had been one of the two longest-tenured players on the Sox’ roster alongside starting pitcher Davis Martin.
“Lenyn is a special hitter, one of our best hitters,” manager Will Venable said Sunday, before the trade was announced. “As you’re trying to figure out what’s the best thing to do on a daily basis for your lineup and your path to finding a win, we prioritize defense here early.”
The trade left an open roster spot for the Sox, who said a corresponding move would be made before Tuesday’s series opener at home against Tampa Bay, when top pitching prospect Noah Schultz is scheduled to make his MLB debut. Sources have said the Sox are considering calling up utility player Sam Antonacci.
Rich, 18, was the Blue Jays’ 17th-round draft pick last year out of American Heritage High School in Plantation, Florida, near Fort Lauderdale. The 5-10, 175-lbs lefty, who has yet to appear in a professional game, was assigned to the Sox’ Arizona Complex League.
There’ll be some familiar faces to greet Sosa to the Jays, including his former Sox teammates Dylan Cease and Eloy Jimenez, who got called up Sunday for his first MLB action in almost two years.