Overview
- The White Sox formally designated outfielder Austin Hays for assignment, removing him from the 40-man roster and opening a window to trade, release, or place him on waivers.
- Hays missed most of the season with a calf strain, returned via a minor-league rehab stint, and made only 12 big-league appearances this year with a .233/.250/.326 line in 44 plate appearances.
- Chicago’s earlier additions of Randal Grichuk and the deadline acquisition of Brenton Doyle gave the club cheaper, productive outfield options and created the roster pressure that led to the DFA.
- Hays still has about $1.7 million guaranteed, a sum that makes teams less likely to claim him on waivers though he could draw interest if he clears and becomes available at lower cost.
- A 31-year-old former Orioles prospect, Hays is most valuable as a right-handed platoon bat against left-handed pitching and his designation signals the White Sox prefer current depth and flexibility over a short-term platoon role.