LaMarre sits out Chicago White Sox's lopsided loss to Cardinals
As a member of the Twins this season, Ryan LaMarre played seven games against the Chicago White Sox.
"I think everyone knows what they're building up toward," he said.
Slogging through a difficult season, the Sox are hoping all of the prospects they've been stockpiling since after the 2016 season stay healthy and make impacts when they reach the major leagues.
It's going to be a patchwork process until that happens, and LaMarre will try to find a place with the White Sox after being claimed off waivers from Minnesota on Monday.
The 29-year-old outfielder joined the Sox's 25-man roster for Tuesday night's game against the Cardinals, replacing injured right fielder Avisail Garcia. In 43 games over four stints with the Twins this season, LaMarre batted .263 with 5 doubles and 8 RBI. He also has played for the Reds, Red Sox and Athletics.
LaMarre didn't play for the White Sox against St. Louis. Dexter Fowler's grand slam in the sixth inning broke the game open and the Cardinals buried the Sox 14-2.
White Sox starter Dylan Covey (3-5) had another rough outing, allowing 5 runs (4 earned) on 9 hits and 2 walks in 5 innings.
Relievers Jace Fry and Bruce Rondon combined to give up 5 runs in two-thirds of an inning. Rondon had 3 walks and a wild pitch in one-third of an inning, and the big right-hander likely pitched his last game for the Sox.
"Great arm, great stuff, but you have to command at the major-league level," manager Rick Renteria said of Rondon. "You have to hit your spots to have a chance at success."
Covey had 4 strikeouts through the first 2 scoreless innings before giving up 4 straight two-out singles in the third that put the Cardinals ahead 2-0.
"I felt good early," Covey said. "The ball started keeping up in the zone as I went on. They were sitting on fastballs the second time through (the lineup) and attacking them early. I need to recognize that and throw sliders, curveballs and changeups for strikes."
Jimenez update:
Top prospect Eloy Jimenez hasn't played since July 1 due to a strained left adductor, but the 21-year-old outfielder is close to returning.
"He's progressing nicely," general manager Rick Hahn said. "Probably another week to 10 days at this point. One thing that given the situation we're in right now is we're always going to err on the side of caution with these guys. There's no need to rush anyone back."
Jimenez was on track to join the White Sox later this season. Does the injury eliminate that chance?
"Not yet," Hahn said. "Right now he's on the DL, so that decision isn't really on the table. Given the progress he's made when he's been active, that issue could be back on the table at some point here in the not too distant future. For now, it's a moot point."
In a combined 65 games with Class AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte this season, Jimenez is hitting .313/.371/.541 with 12 home runs and 46 RBI.
Pierzynski sighting:
A.J. Pierzynski was at Guaranteed Rate Field on Tuesday to promote his new bobblehead commemorating the 10-year anniversary of the White Sox's "Blackout Game" against the Twins. In Game 163 of the 2008 season, the Sox edged Minnesota at home to advance to the playoffs.
"The fans were really into it," Pierzynski said. "It was one of the coolest experiences to walk out on the field and every person in the stands was in black. It was just something I had never seen before."
Pierzynski bobbleheads currently are available at whitesox.com and at home games (Section 135) beginning Friday. Proceeds benefit Chicago White Sox Charities.