Chicago White Sox cut ties with Bonifacio
Reserve outfielder and ace pinch hitter J.B. Shuck came off the disabled list Sunday after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
The Chicago White Sox had to move a player off the 25-man roster to clear a spot for Shuck, and the two obvious choices were rookie outfielder Trayce Thompson and veteran infielder/outfielder Emilio Bonifacio.
The Sox designated Bonifacio for assignment.
"It's a tough one," manager Robin Ventura said. "That stuff is never easy. It didn't really pan out the way we really saw it happening with him. He's a great guy inside the clubhouse."
Bonifacio was far from great on the field for the White Sox, batting .167 with 4 RBI in 47 games. In fairness, the 30-year-old veteran didn't get much of an opportunity to play, making just 15 starts.
Thompson has started just three games since arriving from Class AAA Charlotte on Aug. 3, but he has been impressive. The right-handed hitter is 6-for-12 with a solo home run with the Sox.
"I think you look at what Trayce has done since he's been up here, you have some options there," Ventura said. "We are going to run into some lefties coming up here on the road trip. He's going to get some playing time. You like what he has done, and it's a credit to him and you have to make a decision based on that."
The White Sox will try to trade Bonifacio, who is making $3 million this season. He also has a $4 million club option for 2016, with a $1 million buyout.
Back in the groove:
After missing all of last season with a hip injury followed by Tommy John surgery, Nate Jones is back in the Sox' bullpen and doing very well.
Jones was used in middle relief after returning in early August, but after 3 straight scoreless appearances, he set up closer David Robertson on Sunday.
"The role really doesn't matter at all," Jones said. "I'm just so happy to be back, I'm going to go in and pitch whenever they tell me to pitch and try to do the best job and put up zeros. That's all you ever ask for out of any reliever."
Jones struck out the Cubs in order in the eighth inning.
"I love watching him pitch, I've said that for a while now," said Chris Sale, Sunday's White Sox starter. "Seeing the obstacles he's had to overcome and the way he has handled it the whole time, he has never deviated from the script.
"He put his head down and he worked hard. What he's gone through, a lot of people could get down. But it's fun watching him pitch. You appreciate it a little bit more when it comes from him because of what he's done and how he's done it."
Fulmer watch:
Carson Fulmer, the Sox' first-round draft pick in June (No. 8 overall), pitched 3 perfect innings for high Class A Winston-Salem on Saturday night.
The 21-year-old right-hander has made 5 starts for Winston-Salem, allowing 4 earned runs in 13 innings while striking out 14.
Fulmer could be bumped up to AAA Charlotte at some point this month, but he is not likely to join the White Sox in September due to his innings count dating to pitching Vanderbilt into the College World Series two months ago.