Teahen Hits DL – McPherson, Not Viciedo, Gets the Call
By Editorial Staff
Mark Teahen was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, retroactive to May 12. Teahen was battling a strained oblique.
The White Sox purchased the contract of Dallas McPherson from Triple-A Charlotte to take Teahen’s place on the 25-man roster.
McPherson had a solid showing in spring training as a non-roster invitee. He is batting .305 (36-118) with nine doubles, three homers and 18 RBI in 31 games with Charlotte, including a .400 (26-79) average vs. right-handed pitchers. The 6-foot-4, 225-pounder has made all 30 of his starts at third base.
It appears as though Brent Morel is running into even more interference in his campaign to be the everyday third baseman on the south side.
With Teahen sidelined, I thought the Sox might entertain the idea of bringing up Dayan Viciedo, who was having a spectacular spring before fracturing his thumb. He’s still crushing the ball at Triple-A, but I guess Ozzie Guillen is more concerned with attaining some stability on the hot corner before he worries about his outfield coughcoughJuanPierrecoughcough.
McPherson also has big league experience, a plus in the Sox’s book. He is a career .245 (91-371) hitter with 18 home runs and 45 RBI in 128 major-league games with Los Angeles-AL (2004-06) and Florida (2008). Orginally drafted by the Angels in the second round of the 2001 draft, he has hit .293 (794-2,709) with 175 home runs and 591 RBI in his minor-league career.
I still expect Viciedo to make an appearance at the big league level before rosters expand in September. Depending on the scenario, Alejandro De Aza might show his face before Viciedo does since he’s able to lead off and play center field.
Viciedo moved from third base to the outfield in the offseason, his defense and lack of speed really hampering his versatility.
The White Sox finish up a two-game set against the Texas Rangers Tuesday night at U.S. Cellular Field. The Cleveland Indians come into town Wednesday and Thursday for another two-game series.