Third base options are dwindling for the White Sox.
The team announced today that they have placed Jake Burger on the 10-day injured list with a strained left oblique. Infielder Lenyn Sosa has been recalled from Triple-A Charlotte as the corresponding move.
The apparent injury is believed to have occurred during Burger’s at-bat in the bottom of the fourth inning. Replays showed Burger wince while grabbing at his left side after swinging and missing at a pitch. Once he returned to the dugout, Burger was seen walking down the tunnel with a member of the training staff. Hanser Alberto came in as a defensive replacement at the hot corner in the top of the fifth inning.
Burger, 27, provided the White Sox with some instant power following his promotion on April 5. Through 23 games, he’s slashing .224/.312/.612 with seven homers, 14 RBI, and a .924 OPS. Not only does he lead the team in bombs, but Burger is also tied for second in Major League Baseball with six of those coming at home, trailing only Minnesota’s Byron Buxton by one.
Hanser Alberto is likely to be the next man up at third base, with Sosa and Romy Gonzalez likely to receive opportunities at the hot corner as well. However, with the White Sox now on their third-string third baseman and down their best power hitter, it’s going to be a continual uphill battle if the South Siders want to pull themselves out of their early-season hole.
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