KANSAS CITY, Mo. — After demoting outfielder Jacob May to AAA Charlotte Monday night, the White Sox filled the void on the 25-man roster by recalling outfielder Willy García from Charlotte Tuesday.
García, 24, who was batting .294 with four doubles, four home runs, 11 walks, 24 strikeouts and 13 RBI over 18 games with the Knights, is in the lineup for the Sox game against the Royals (7:15).
Garcia played in two games with the Sox from April 14-16 while Melky Cabrera was on the paternity list, going 2-for-7 with a double against the Twins. On April 14, it marked first time three players with the same surname started a game together. Willy returned to Charlotte when Cabrera returned.
Cabrera was in the lineup as the designated hitter against left-hander Danny Duffy, creating space in the outfield for Willy. Avisail Garcia returned after missing Monday’s game with a tender left groin.
May’s demotion after he produced only two hits after earning the Opening Day starting job in center field solidifies Leury Garcia’s hold in center. Leury Garcia, a multipurpose infielder/outfielder, is batting .306/.323/.484 while providing adequate defense, at best, in center.
Willy Garcia, a right fielder for most of his minor league career and the position he seems best fit for, played left during his brief stay with the Sox.
Here is the Sox lineup:
Tim Anderson SS
Yolmer Sanchez 2B
Melky Cabrera DH
Jose Abreu 1B
Todd Frazier 3B
Avisail Garcia RF
Geovanny Soto C
Willy Garcia LF
Leury Garcia CF
Jose Quintana P
The Sox (13-11) play the Royals at 7:15 p.m.
