Reed says he's joining White Sox for the second half

After closing out the first half of the season Sunday with a 3-1 win over the Cubs at Guaranteed Rate Field, the White Sox optioned struggling left-handed slugger Daniel Palka (1-for-45) to Class AAA Charlotte.

The Sox said they would make a corresponding roster move before opening the second half of the season Friday night at Oakland, but A.J. Reed announced some breaking news Tuesday after being claimed off waivers from Houston.

"I'm going to be meeting the (White Sox) in Oakland after the all-star break, so that's exciting news," Reed said on WTHI-TV in Terre Haute, Ind. "They didn't really say much about playing time. Just by looking at the roster, it kind of looks like I'm going to get some good at-bats in this year. Just have to go out there and play hard and play well."

Reed, a Terre Haute native, was designated for assignment by the Astros July 2. The 26-year-old first baseman spent the entire season at Class AAA Round Rock, batting .224/.329/.469 with 11 doubles, 12 home runs and 35 RBI in 56 games.

Once rated a Top 50 overall prospect, the 6-foot-4, 270-pound Reed played in 48 games with the Astros from 2016-18 and slashed .153/.253/.244 with 3 homers and 8 RBI. The left-hander also struck out 50 times in 150 plate appearances.

Maybe a change of scenery will spark the former University of Kentucky slugger.

"They (Sox) called me and said they were really excited to have me and they've been trying to get me in a trade for a couple of years, and the Astros were just asking for a little too much," Reed said. "It's nice that it finally worked out. It's kind of a stressful way for it to work out, but I think they're excited and I think they're going to let me play."