Tim Elko returns to the Chicago White Sox, who position
Will Venable described Chicago White Sox infielder Lenyn Sosa as a “sly entertainer.”
“He’s just a guy that was in there every day and (you) type of just look up and he’s among our group leaders in all classifications,” the Sox supervisor said Wednesday afternoon.
Sosa got in Wednesday with a team-leading 55 hits. But he’ll run out the mix after going on the 10-day hurt list with a best hip flexor strain.
Sosa stated the obstacle occurred while he was running in Monday’s game against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field.
“I began feeling it early in the game and as the game progressed, the discomfort was more extreme,” Sosa stated through an interpreter. “Thank God it’s absolutely nothing severe. I believe (in) a week and a half, I’m going to have the ability to return.”
With Sosa sidelined, the Sox recalled very first baseman Tim Elko from Triple-A Charlotte.
“It’s been a journey and that belongs to the game,” Elko, 26, said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it. You have actually got to delight in the ups and downs. Being back here absolutely feels great to be with these guys and just prepare to win some games.”
Elko went 5-for-31 (.161) with three home runs and 5 RBIs in 10 games throughout his first stint with the Sox from May 10-22. He stated his greatest takeaways from that experience consisted of “attempting to remain within myself, not try to do too much and just type of see ball, struck ball.”
“I believe when I was up here at the start, I believe perhaps I was overswinging a little bit, attempting to do a little too much,” Elko stated. “(It’s) type of simply staying within myself and simply trusting myself.”
Elko has been a force with the Knights, ranking third in the International League in slugging portion (.596 ), fourth in OPS (.984 ), tied for 4th in home runs (11) and 10th in batting average (.315 ).
“I felt truly excellent yesterday, sort of returned in my groove and felt like myself,” Elko stated of a 2-for-4 performance versus Lehigh Valley. “So grateful to be back here today.”
White Sox initially baseman Tim Elko flies out against the Marlins on May 10, 2025, at Rate Field. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)The Sox had Elko at first base and moved Miguel Vargas back to third for Wednesday’s game against the Tigers. Vargas had actually been playing more initially after the Sox optioned Andrew Vaughn to Charlotte. Josh Rojas moved from 3rd to fill Sosa’s area at 2nd.” As we shuffle things after Sosa’s injury, simply type of made good sense to backfill some infield stuff, we have the flexibility to do it,” Venable stated. “We … were just discussing doing some models of our lineup where we do blend in Vargas at 3rd base, just to continue to mix it in due to the fact that it’s such a fundamental part of his game and he does so well.
“So now we have the chance to do that. We’ll blend back and forth, however you’ll see him at 3rd base.”
White Sox 2nd baseman Lenyn Sosa (50)is praised by manager Will Venable after scoring on a bases-loaded walk in the third inning versus the Rangers on May 23, 2025, at Rate Field.
(John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)The Sox had not locked down a timetable for Sosa’s return since Wednesday afternoon.”Today is a huge assessment day for him, we’ll set a strategy at some point today and take it day by day
,”Venable stated. Sosa is slashing.274/.291/.383 with 4 crowning achievement, 10 doubles, 17 RBIs and 15 runs in 57 games. He has actually a. 320 average in his last 21 games.
“I was feeling excellent (at the plate),” Sosa stated.
He has actually had success with 2 strikes, batting.271 (29-for-107). That was the fifth-best average in the American League in those scenarios since Wednesday afternoon.
“Just be more patient because situation, because count,” Sosa stated of his two-strike approach. “Because generally I like to swing at pitches out of the strike zone. That’s who I am, however in that count I try to be more patient and have a much better choice.”
Venable stated Sosa has provided a “really excellent efficiency and (has actually been) productive.”
“He’s implied a lot to this group and solid defense at 2nd base,” Venable stated. “We’re going to miss him. He’s been doing a terrific job, and hope he gets back soon.”
The Sox made 2 more roster moves Wednesday, claiming pitcher Ryan Cusick off waivers from the Tigers and optioning him to Charlotte while transferring pitcher Miguel Castro to the 60-day hurt list.
Cusick, 25, has a 6.32 age and 11 strikeouts in 14 relief appearances this season in between Triple-A Las Vegas in the Athletics company and Triple-A Toledo in the Tigers system. Castro originally went on the 15-day hurt list (retroactive to Thursday) with a patellar tendon tear in his ideal knee suffered while covering first base upon May 28 against the New York City Mets at Citi Field.
Initially Published: June 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM CDT