White Sox to put Avisail Garcia on disabled list

Chicago White Sox’ Avisail Garcia will be placed on the 10-day disabled list Wednesday or Thursday. | David Zalubowski/Associated Press

All-Star right fielder Avisail Garcia will go on the disabled list with a ligament strain in his right thumb, which has bothered him for about a week, he said.

The injury is not considered serious, but Garcia, who was wearing a splint on the thumb Wednesday, will be out for at least a couple of weeks. The White Sox will bring an outfielder up from Class AAA Charlotte before the game against the Cubs on Thursday.

“It’s a matter of letting the thumb heal and him getting back out there,” general manager Rick Hahn said. “He’s been fighting through this for a little while.”

Garcia missed two games in Colorado before the All-Star break with a sprained middle finger in his right hand, which is still not completely well, he said. He also missed five games in early July with inflammation in his left knee.

Garcia, hitless in nine at-bats in the first two games of the Cubs series, said the thumb has affected his swing.

“You could see [Tuesday at Wrigley Field], 0-for-5,’’ he said. “I’ve been swinging too much with my shoulders. Trying to force it. I don’t have to force it. I’ve just got to take care of this and be back and ready.’’

Garcia is batting .157 in his last 18 games, dropping his average from .342 to .303.

Alen Hanson started in right field against the Cubs.

Petricka recalled

After announcing the Tuesday trade of right-hander Anthony Swarzak to the Brewers for outfield prospect Ryan Cordell, the Sox filled the vacancy in the bullpen by returning right-hander Jake Petricka from his injury-rehabilitation assignment at Charlotte.

Petricka, who had 14 saves for the Sox in 2014, and left-hander Dan Jennings are the only pitchers from the Opening Day bullpen on the Sox’ 25-man roster. David Robertson, Tommy Kahnle and Swarzak have been traded, and Nate Jones and Zach Putnam are out for the season with elbow injuries.

Petricka, 29, made five rehab appearances with Charlotte after being put on the DL on June 29 with a strained right elbow. He was on the disabled list from April 5 to June 8 with a right lat strain and appeared in only nine games last season because of hip surgery.

“It has been a mental grind,’’ Petricka said, “especially with the hip injury last year. So, if anything, I’ve just learned a lot more about myself off the field than on the field. And now it’s time to re-establish myself on the field.’’

The latest prospect

In the 6-4 Cordell, 25, the Sox added the Brewers’ No. 17 prospect to their growing stable.

“Scouts are very enthusiastic about his ability, his diverse skill set,’’ Hahn said. “He’s got some power, speed, versatility on the field. He can play all three outfield positions. He does have some history of playing third base as recently as this year.’’

Cordell, though, will be sidelined with a back strain for several weeks.

“There’s a chance that we don’t see him in action till closer to instructional league [September],’’ Hahn said. “But in terms of long-term prognosis, this injury should be a non-factor in his development.’’

A Leury sighting

Leury Garcia, who has had one at-bat since June 11 and has been on the disabled list since June 19 with a sprained finger on his left hand, finally began a rehab assignment in the Arizona League.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com