Chicago White Sox catcher Alex Avila is currently hampered with a strained right hamstring, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
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Avila Placed on Disabled List by White Sox
Sunday, April 24
The White Sox announced on Sunday that Avila would be placed on the disabled list and catcher Kevan Smith, 27, would be recalled to the active roster.
Avila, 29, is hitting .214 this season with a run scored. He has yet to register a home run or RBI.
He was clearly disappointed to suffer this latest injury, as he said after Saturday's game.
“I’ve been feeling great physically,” Avila said, per JJ Stankevitz of CSN Chicago. “I was really swinging the bat well and having some good at-bats the last few games, as well. It’s a little frustrating.”
Per the White Sox, meanwhile, Smith is hitting .345 with two home runs and six RBI in eight games with Triple-A Charlotte this season. He has no MLB experience and will likely serve as the team's backup catcher behind Dioner Navarro.
Much like Avila, Navarro, 32, has had his own struggles at the plate, hitting just .100 with two RBI. If Smith brings a hot bat to the big leagues, he could very well find himself earning a big share of the playing time while Avila is shelved.
Despite the offensive struggles from the catchers, the White Sox have gotten off to a strong start, going 12-6 to open the season and finding themselves in an early lead in the AL Central. If there was one position where the team seems capable of handling an injury, it's at catcher, so Avila's setback shouldn't be a major loss for the White Sox.
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