White Sox rookies have gotten injured either before making a debut or during their first game this season
Just before the White Sox contest on April 25 against the Toronto Blue Jays, catcher Kevan Smith who was scheduled to make his first MLB start suffered an injury to his back during stretching drills just before the pitch . Smith would be placed on the disabled list and hasn’t appeared in a game for either the White Sox or Class AAA Charlotte Knights since.
On June 4, Knights outfielder Jason Coats was recalled by the White Sox and appeared in his first MLB game against the Detroit Tigers. Coats would also suffer an injury after colliding with outfielder J.B. Shuck on a flyball and required seven stitches, but no stint on the disabled list.
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Fast forward to June 30 when the White Sox recalled Matt Davidson. Davidson, once a top prospect in the White Sox minor league system, was promoted after hitting .268 and being selected to the AAA All-Star game. Davidson would contribute in his first game with the White Sox as he hit a RBI single and scored on a bases loaded walk. However, this would be the only good news for Davidson on this day.
Davidson fractured his right foot while running the bases in the fourth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins. He was pinch hit for by Coats in the sixth inning. Davidson’s injury adds to a list of White Sox rookies who have been snake-bitten in their first MLB games this season.
For Davidson, this wasn’t his first taste of MLB action. Davidson appeared in 31 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013. After an impressive spring training and showing in Charlotte, it appeared Davidson could have a lengthy stay with the White Sox. Davidson’s injury couldn’t have come at a worst time for the team.
The White Sox lack of depth in the minor leagues currently is showing just how important drafting good players is for any organization. Although the White Sox have made strides in recent drafts to get better position players, there inability to do this sooner rather than later appears to be hurting the team now. With the injury to Davidson, the White Sox placed him on the disabled list and recalled light hitting infielder Carlos Sanchez.
Next: Consistency Key to White Sox Rotation Success
This season has already been tough on White Sox fans, but it has been much tougher on the team’s rookies. Hopefully the White Sox best rookie in Tim Anderson doesn’t get the same fate as his fellow rookie teammates.