Chicago White Sox option Collins, Mercedes to Class AAA Charlotte
On a conference call last Friday, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn was like everyone else.
He had little or no idea what the future holds.
Taking things day by day, Hahn did rule out making roster moves at the time.
"Right now, we're on pause with all transactional activity," he said. "I suspect that will continue at least through the weekend and then the early part of next week, there may be an understanding of how best to proceed with preparation for the start of the season.
"Right now, we've essentially pushed the pause button on the business side of things and it's just a matter of providing the treatment and support that the players need to maintain their current condition and hopefully soon progress toward Opening Day."
On Monday, the Sox did announce three procedural roster moves, and the first two names were interesting.
Catchers Zack Collins and Yermin Mercedes were optioned to Class AAA Charlotte, as was relief pitcher Jose Ruiz.
The White Sox already have two all-star catchers on the roster - newcomer Yasmani Grandal and James McCann.
When major-league baseball does resume, and that is a huge unknown, major-league teams will be able to carry 26 players. That is one more than the usual 25.
Collins, the Sox's first-round draft pick (No. 10 overall) entered camp with a pretty good shot of making the team as the 26th man, but Mercedes was making a push to pass him with a strong performance in the Cactus League.
Before play was halted by the coronavirus pandemic last week, Mercedes was batting .381 with a team-high 4 home runs and 9 RBI in 13 games.
"See you soon in Chicago," Mercedes tweeted after hitting his fourth homer in the exhibition season.
It's still unclear when the White Sox or any other major-league team will be seen, but Mercedes and Collins both should get time in Chicago at some point once the season does get started.
Collins also was having a good camp, batting .333 with 2 homers and 6 RBI in 13 games.
In two stints with the Sox last season, Collins hit .186 with 3 homers and 12 RBI. He spent the bulk of the year at Charlotte.
Ruiz bounced between Charlotte and the majors last season and was 1-4 with a 5.63 ERA in 40 relief appearances with the White Sox.