Sox lose to Angels; add Morneau, Fulmer to 25-man roster
Coming out of the all-star break Friday night, the Chicago White Sox looked like the same team that went 45-43.
They were not.
Before losing to Los Angeles 7-0 at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, the Sox added two new players to their 25-man roster.
The White Sox have been shut out in their last two games.
One of Friday's move was expected, as designated hitter/first baseman Justin Morneau returned from his minor-league rehabilitation assignment with Class AAA Charlotte and AA Birmingham and joined the White Sox.
The other move was a bit of a surprise, as the Sox purchased top pitching prospect Carson Fulmer's contract from Birmingham.
With left-hander Hector Santiago starting for the Angels, the left-handed hitting Morneau was not in the starting lineup.
Morneau pinch hit in the eighth inning and grounded out to second base.
Fulmer, the White Sox's first-round draft pick in 2015 (No. 8 overall) started at Double-A, and the Sox need a starter Sunday to fill in for the injured Carlos Rodon (sprained left wrist).
But like Rodon and Chris Sale, Fulmer will break into the major leagues out of the bullpen. Fulmer figures to be in the rotation at some point down the road.
The right-hander got off to a rough start with Birmingham but came on strong during his last 3 starts, allowing 2 runs while striking out 22 in 19 innings. Fulmer also pitched a perfect inning of relief in Sunday's All-Star Futures game while striking out two.
“I've been waiting my whole life for this,” Fulmer told reporters Friday. “I'm trying to soak in every moment I have here.”
Morneau is coming back from December elbow surgery and will ease back in against right-handed starters. He was 4-for-23 with 3 walks and 2 RBI while rehabbing with Charlotte and Birmingham.
To clear a roster spot for Morneau, the Sox optioned outfielder Jason Coats to Charlotte.
“I wouldn't have told them I thought I was ready if I didn't believe I was ready to come up here,” Morneau told reporters. “To say it's going to be perfect or great from Day 1, I can't say that. But I'm here and I believe I can help us win ballgames.”