Chicago White Sox's Avila likely heading to disabled list

Heading into Saturday's game against the Rangers, the Chicago White Sox were the only team in major-league baseball that hadn't used the disabled list this season.

That is very likely to change on Sunday.

Catcher Alex Avila, who battled injuries the last four years with the Detroit Tigers, was pulled from the Sox's eventual 11-inning win over the Rangers with a tight right hamstring.

Avila injured his leg running from first to second base in the sixth inning.

How did it feel in the postgame clubhouse?

"A little sore," Avila said.

Is it a day to day injury?

"No," Avila said. "They'll probably put me on the DL."

Avila was not thrilled with the prospects of dealing with another health issue.

"Very disappointing, a little frustrating," said the 29-year-old catcher, who is batting .214. "I've been feeling great physically. I was really swinging the bat well and having some good ABs the last few games as well. It's a little frustrating."

Kevan Smith, who is batting .345 in 8 games with Class AAA Charlotte, wasn't in the Knights' lineup Saturday. He is the logical choice to take Avila's spot.

Bouncing back:

After lasting just one-third of an inning and allowing 5 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks against the Angels in his last start, Carlos Rodon was back on the mound for the White Sox Saturday, and he had much better results.

Rodon pitched 6⅔ innings against the Rangers and allowed 2 runs on 2 hits. The left-hander had 7 strikeouts and 2 walks.

"After an outing like that, you come out a little more focused," Rodon said. "I guess a little more juice, and I was ready to go."

Making history:

In Friday night's 5-0 win over the Texas Rangers, the Chicago White Sox recorded the first 9-3-2-6-2-5 triple play in major-league history.

"It was all over the place," manager Robin Ventura said. "Usually, it happens pretty quick. I think first and second, you'll see the quick grounder to the third baseman or a line drive with guys running, but you rarely see it coming in from the outfield."

The White Sox were a sloppy defensive team last year, and they frequently botched simple rundowns.

Through the first three weeks of the new season, the Sox have looked like a completely different team in the field.

During the triple play, the entire defense communicated and executed. Shortstop Tyler Saladino helped wrap it up by smartly running at Prince Fielder, who was trapped between third base and home.

Saladino tossed the ball to catcher Dioner Navarro, who threw to third baseman Todd Frazier, who tagged out Fielder.

"The whole thing was kind of a circus play to begin with because the runners kind of took off," said Saladino, who had never been involved in a triple play before Friday. "When you're in that situation, everything's in your favor as long as you get the first out and then you just take care. When it works out that way, it's pretty exciting."