White Sox could find needed outfield help at Class AAA Charlotte

Nick Williams got a shot at picking up some of the playing time in left field that opened up when Eloy Jimenez ruptured his left pectoral tendon late in spring training.

Williams went 0-for-10 in 4 games with the White Sox before being designated for assignment, and the 27-year-old outfielder is now on Class AAA Charlotte's roster.

Rookie Andrew Vaughn is likely to get the bulk of the playing time in left moving forward, and the Sox are looking for help in center field with Luis Robert (torn right hip flexor) expected to be out for 12-16 weeks.

General manager Rick Hahn said he is exploring trades for needed help in the outfield.

In the meantime, minor-league baseball started back up Tuesday after being shuttered last year due to COVID-19. The White Sox could turn to Charlotte for outfielders, especially if they decide to part with Billy Hamilton.

After going 0-for-4 with 2 strikeouts in Wednesday's 1-0 loss to the Reds, Hamilton is batting .136.

"To replace two guys like that is certainly a difficult thing," assistant GM/director of player development Chris Getz said of Jimenez and Robert. "However, it does provide opportunity for players. We're looking at players with other organizations along with our own internal options. We're signing Brian Goodwin, he'll likely be at our Charlotte affiliate shortly.

"But guys like Blake Rutherford or Gavin Sheets or Luis Gonzalez, this could be an opportunity for them to step up. They don't have a lot of playing time under their belt based on the obvious here, but I feel like their game is not too far off."

Goodwin signed with the Pirates in February and had an opt-out clause if he wasn't on the major-league roster by May 1. Pittsburgh released the 30-year-old veteran earlier this week.

Over five major-league seasons with the Nationals, Angels, Royals and Reds, Goodwin batted .250/.317/.455 with 42 home runs and 129 RBI over 357 games.

Originally drafted by the Sox in 2009 and not signing, Goodwin has played all three outfield spots.