Soto says family in Puerto Rico OK after Hurricane Maria

It's been a tough year for Geovany Soto.

The Chicago White Sox's veteran catcher hasn't played since May 7 and he has yet to fully recover from arthroscopic elbow surgery.

Soto is also dealing with this aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which has caused massive damage in his native Puerto Rico.

With his mother, father, in-laws, cousins and nephews living in Puerto Rico, Soto was able to make phone contact on Wednesday.

"They are fine," he said. "They are in good spirits. But obviously, the devastation in Puerto Rico is really significant. All we can do is just pray and keep the good spirits."

Soto said his families' homes are fine, but the possibility of having no power on the island for weeks or months is difficult to deal with.

"It's a lot of debris in the streets and a lot of power lines down and in the middle of the roads," he said. "A lot of trees, a lot of dangerous spots and you don't know if there's live lines of electricity. It's a matter of just waiting for the people to kind of get the debris out of the streets and just try to make it safe to at least go to places."

Soto usually spends the off-season in San Juan, but that might not be an option this year.

"I don't think this year is going to be the same," he said. "Wait until all the proper help gets to the cities and clears everything up and then try to see if I can make it down there. But if there's no power, if there's no water, I don't know. That's a tough question right now. I don't think I'm just going to put my family in that situation. I might stay here longer than I expected."

Fulmer update:

Carson Fulmer had to exit Thursday night's start at Houston with one out in first inning due to a blister on his right index finger.

The right-hander is hoping to get one more start before the season ends, but manager Rick Renteria isn't making any guarantees.

"Blisters, when you lose the skin, when you're holding the baseball in a very sensitive spot with the fingers and you've got to be able to feel comfortable with it," Renteria said. "I think depending on how he continues to heal in the next couple of days, we'll have a better idea. But it would be premature for me to say right now that he's going to be OK for a next one."

Freddy's ready:

In town for Saturday afternoon's charity softball game at Boomers Stadium in Schaumburg, Freddy Garcia visited the White Sox's clubhouse before Friday night's game against the Royals.

A starter for the Sox in 2004-06 and 2009-10, Garcia last pitched in the major leagues in 2013, with the Orioles and Braves.

Now 40 years old, Garcia said he wants to pitch one more season of winter ball in his native Venezuela. The right-hander is not interested in making a comeback as a major leaguer next year.