Avila in lineup, Gonzalez called up for Monday night start

ARLINGTON, Texas — The White Sox reinstated catcher Alex Avila from the disabled list and designated catcher Hector Sanchez for assignment Monday.

Avila was in the starting lineup for Monday’s game against the Texas Rangers.

Right-hander Miguel Gonzalez was also activated, as expected, and made his second start for the Sox when they opened a three-game series in Texas. Avila, who went on the disabled list April 24 with a strained right hamstring, was 0-for-8 with three walks in three games on his rehab assignment at AAA Charlotte. He is 6-for-28 (.214) with a .333 on-base percentage in 10 games with the Sox this season.

Gonzalez opened with five scoreless innings and led 2-0 behind Jimmy Rollins’ RBI groundout in the first and Todd Frazier’s homer in the fifth against Colby Lewis.

Gonzalez, 31, gave up five runs on 11 hits with six strikeouts over 5 1/3 innings in his first spot start at Toronto April 25. The Sox rallied to win that game, leaving Gonzalez with a no-decision. He is 1-0 with a 2.65 ERA and 18 strikeouts over four starts and 17 innings with the Knights this season.

Against the Rangers last season, Gonzalez made two starts covering 9 1/3 innings and gave up 10 runs on 15 hits and four walks, taking the loss in both games. He is 2-3 with a 5.14 ERA in five career starts against the Rangers.

Gonzalez owns a 39-33 career record with a 3.86 ERA. He made 15, 28, 28 and 26 starts for the Baltimore Orioles from 2012-15. The Orioles released him during spring training, and the Sox signed him to a minor-league contract the day before their season opener.

Gonzalez is hoping to fill the Sox’ opening for a fifth starter. They are also among several teams with interest in free agent Tim Lincecum, but if they view Lincecum’s price tag as too steep for what they’d be getting in return they can give Gonzalez more looks or look to AAA Charlotte right-hander Jacob Turner before waiting for the trade market to heat up next month.

Sanchez was 1-for-7 during his brief stay with the Sox, who have 10 days to trade, release or outright him. Sanchez is out of options, so any team claiming him off waivers must place him on the major league roster. The Sox’ 40-man roster is at 37.