(670 The Score) White Sox catcher/outfielder Yermin Mercedes has suffered a hamate fracture in his left hand and will undergo surgery Monday, the team announced Friday.
Mercedes is expected to need six to eight weeks to recover. Mercedes had been 3-of-9 in limited action in five games of Cactus League play this spring.
Mercedes had a roller coaster 2021 in which he was scoring hot to open the season before irking manager Tony La Russa and later cooling off considerably. After being sent to Triple-A Charlotte in early July, Mercedes later briefly claimed was stepping away from the game, only to report back for work the next day.
When he was in the big leagues in 2021, Mercedes primarily was a designated hitter. He also has catching experience but had been mostly working in the corner outfield spots this spring, James Fegan of the Athletic reported.
In other news Friday, the White Sox trimmed nine players from their spring roster.
They optioned outfielder Blake Rutherford to Triple-A Charlotte, while right-hander Jason Bilous and newly acquired left-hander Yoan Aybar were optioned to Double-A Birmingham. They also reassigned right-hander Kade McClure, right-hander Emilio Vargas, left-hander Hunter Schryver, catcher Xavier Fernandez, catcher Carlos Perez and infielder Jose Rodriguez to minor league camp.
The White Sox have 50 players remaining in their big league camp.