Chicago White Sox bringing up Gonzalez to start against Toronto

The Chicago White Sox pulled Mat Latos off the scrap heap in February and have already been rewarded by the right-hander's 4-0 start and 0.74 ERA.

Are they going to have similar luck with Miguel Gonzalez?

Tune in Monday night, when Gonzalez joins the Sox from Class AAA Charlotte and takes the mound at Toronto.

After Sunday's win over Texas, the White Sox optioned Erik Johnson back to Charlotte to open a spot for Gonzalez.

Signed to a minor-league contract on April 3 after being released by the Baltimore Orioles, Gonzalez reported to Charlotte and was 1-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 2 starts.

From 2012-14, Gonzalez was 30-21 with a 3.45 ERA in 69 starts with the Orioles. While dealing with groin, elbow and shoulder issues last season, the 31-year-old pitcher slipped to 9-12 with a 4.91 ERA.

John Danks was scheduled to start against the Blue Jays in the series opener, but he's being pushed back to Thursday's game at Baltimore.

Gonzalez has pitched much better than Danks at Toronto over his career, which undoubtedly factored into the Sox's decision.

New catcher:

Heading into Saturday's game against the Rangers, the White Sox were the only team in baseball that had no players on the disabled list.

That changed when catcher Alex Avila hurt his right hamstring running from first to second base.

As expected, Avila landed on the 15-day DL on Sunday, and the Sox called up Kevan Smith from Class AAA Charlotte to fill the hole at catcher.

In 8 games with the Knights this season, Smith batted .345 (10-for-29) with 2 home runs and 6 RBI. He'll back up Dioner Navarro with the White Sox.

"It's just a good opportunity for him," manager Robin Ventura said. "He's been doing well (for Charlotte). You kind of trust what our guys are seeing down there. He won't get as much playing time as Dio, but he's going to be playing."

The 26-year-old Smith was a seventh-round draft pick in 2011 out of the University of Pittsburgh, where he played baseball and football (quarterback).

The 6-foot-4, 230-pounder is looking forward to making his major-league debut.

"It's been a long time coming," Smith said. "I was drafted in 2011, so hitting every tier on the way up, it's certainly been an exciting ride. But to get the call up, unfortunately with Alex, but I'll take the call up any way it wanted to come. I'm thrilled."

Smith has developed into a strong defensive catcher. He threw out 5 of 11 attempted basestealers this season (46 percent) and is 131-for-421 (31 percent) over six seasons in the Sox's system.

"That was my biggest thing that I had to improve on," Smith said. "When I was first drafted, I kind of had that football mentality, I was a lot bigger, I was a lot stiffer, I had to work on my flexibility, different kind of movements with my hips and knees and everything. Back from 2011 to now, I think I've transformed into a much different player and a catcher.

"I feel a lot better, my back feels a lot better, my knees, my joints, I just feel like I'm getting lower for pitchers, I'm giving better targets for guys, and I think that gives them the confidence, too, if I can pick up those low ball strikes for them."

Staying put:

Hitless in his last 15-bats, designated hitter Avisail Garcia was on the bench for the third time in five games Sunday.

Earlier in the homestand, manager Robin Ventura said the time wasn't right to send Garcia to the minor leagues. He repeated that sentiment on Sunday.

"Right now we're trying to give him time here," Ventura said. "(Jerry) Sands is in there and we're lucky. With Sands, you can put him in there and you feel confident about him going in and helping you win a game until Avi can find that piece that's missing.

Needing to prove himself this season after a disappointing 2015, Garcia is batting .135.

"No, it's not," Ventura said when asked if it's a bad thing to be sent down. "But we think he can help us here."