Even as the season comes to an end, the White Sox just can’t seem to escape the injury bug.
Prior to tonight’s game against the Minnesota Twins, the club announced that Seby Zavala was placed on the seven-day concussion list and recalled Carlos Perez from AAA Charlotte.
Zavala, 29, has made major strides after a few years of struggling with the bat. Serving as both a backup and starter at times this year, he has hit .270/.347/.382 with two home runs – more than serviceable for a backup catcher (111 wRC+). He still strikes out a lot (31.2%) but has increased his walk rate to 9.3% in order to make up for that. He grades out very well as a defender and has posted 1.8 fWAR in just 61 games this season. It is unclear how Zavala sustained his concussion.
Perez, 26, made his major league debut this year, and in two games, was 1-for-4 and didn’t really see much action. On the season in AAA, Perez is hitting .254/.316/.450 with 21 home runs and 76 runs batted in. His walk rate (7.3%) and strikeout rate (8.6%) are nearly identical, and he is well-regarded behind the plate as a framer. With Yasmani Grandal behind the plate for at least another season, it has yet to be seen how Perez could factor into the White Sox’ future plans behind the plate – or if it would make more sense to send him elsewhere as part of a trade.
For now, Perez will likely back up Grandal for the rest of the season and hopefully get some at-bats in the process. We will keep you updated as more information becomes available on just how Zavala may have suffered his injury.
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Featured Image: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports
