White Sox claim Elmore off waives

In a move that potentially provides them with more versatility on the bench, the White Sox claimed infielder Jake Elmore off waivers from the Houston Astros, team officials announced Wednesday.

The club also purchased the contracts of infielder Carlos Sanchez and outfielder Trayce Thompson from Class AAA Charlotte, adding them to the 40-man roster for next season.

The 26-year-old Elmore played all nine positions with the Astros during the season, appearing in 20 games at shortstop, 12 at second base, nine in left field, two in center and one each at pitcher, catcher, first, third and right. On Aug. 19 at Texas, he became the 14th player in major-league history to pitch and catch in the same game.

On the season, Elmore (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) batted .242 (29-120) with 2 home runs, 6 RBI and 16 runs scored in 52 games with Houston in 2013, his first season in the Astros organization after being claimed off waivers from Arizona on Nov. 1, 2012.

Sanchez, 21, is rated the best defensive infielder in the Sox organizations. With Triple-A Charlotte, he hit .241 (104-432) with 20 doubles, 2 triples, 28 RBI, 50 runs scored and 16 stolen bases in 112 games.

Thompson, 22, spent last season with Class AA Birmingham, hitting .229 (116-507) with 23 doubles, 5 triples, 15 home runs, 73 RBI, 78 runs scored and 25 stolen bases over 135 games.