White Sox sign Cishek, designate Dylan Covey

Steve Cishek is officially in, and it looks like Dylan Covey is out.

The White Sox Tuesday signed Cishek to a one-year, $6-million contract. The deal includes a club option for 2021.

Cishek receives $5.25 million this season. The Sox hold a $6.75 million option for 2021 with a $750,000 buyout.

To clear a spot on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated Covey for assignment.

A right-handed reliever, Cishek was 4-6 with a 2.95 ERA and 7 saves in 70 games for the Cubs last season. He held opposing hitters to a .210 average.

Over his last 16 appearances, Cishek allowed only 1 run in 13⅔ innings (0.66 ERA).

"We believe Steve is a solid addition to our bullpen," White Sox general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. "He complements our other relievers well, provides a different look to opposing hitters later in games and has consistently proven to be both durable and successful throughout his career."

Cishek pitched in 150 games the last two years, the third-highest total in the major leagues.

Over 10 seasons with the Marlins, Cardinals, Mariners, Rays and Cubs, the side-armer is 32-37 with a 2.69 ERA and 584 strikeouts in 556 innings.

Cishek's career ERA is the fifth-lowest among active pitchers with at least 500 relief appearances, trailing only Craig Kimbrel (2.08), Aroldis Chapman (2.23), Kenley Jansen (2.35) and Darren O'Day (2.55).

If Covey clears waivers, he is likely to pitch for Class AAA Charlotte this season.

In 18 games (12 starts) with the Sox last season, Covey was 1-8 with a 7.98 ERA. The 28-year-old righty is 6-29 with a 6.54 ERA over parts of three seasons with the White Sox.

Back to school:

Robin Ventura, star third baseman for the White Sox from 1989 to 1998 and manager from 2012 to 2016, is going back to school.

Ventura, an All-American at Oklahoma State, is returning to school finish his degree.

While there he'll be a student assistant for the Cowboys' baseball team.

"I'm really excited to do this," Ventura said in a statement. "I could do quite a few things, but Oklahoma State and Cowboy baseball is special. I wanted to be somewhere that meant a lot to me, not just the baseball part - I love baseball and coaching and being a part of that - but being at Oklahoma State adds an extra layer of specialness.

"The people here are family, this place means a lot and the program means a lot to me."