White Sox put Leury Garcia on disabled list

The White Sox brought up an outfielder from Class AAA Charlotte on Monday, but it wasn’t prized prospect Eloy Jimenez.

Ryan LaMarre was the Sox’ chosen call-up after they put infielder-outfielder Leury Garcia on the 10-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring. The Sox also reinstated catcher Kevan Smith, the proud father of a new son, from a three-day paternity leave and optioned catcher Dustin Garneau to Charlotte.

Garcia left Sunday’s game against the Rays in the eighth inning. The switch-hitting 27-year-old was batting .303 over his last 20 games, raising his hitting line to .280/.310/.394. This is Garcia’s second trip on the DL this season after missing a little over three weeks in late May and early June with a sprained knee.

LaMarre, who was acquired off waivers from the Twins earlier this season, returns to the big leagues after a 10-game stint with Charlotte in which he batted .220/.273/.366. Adam Engel started in center field Monday against the Yankees after Garcia had started there in four of the Sox’ previous five games.

Anticipation of the Sox calling up Jimenez continues. Asked about speculation that a possible promotion could come as soon as Monday, manager Rick Renteria gave a puzzled look.

“Ultimately it’s when the organization at the top says, ‘Let’s make this move,’ ” Renteria said. “He’s having a nice run, continuing to show he’s capable of performing. Ultimately when we believe as an organization it’s the right time, we’ll make that decision. He’ll be here in due time. I’m sure everybody will be happy to see him.

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“Now we’ll continue to work with the guys who are here and what they’re doing. They deserve that. It’s important. They don’t need any secondary obstacles or influences invading their space.’’

Palka power

Through Sunday, Daniel Palka ranked among American League rookie leaders in home runs (tied for first with 17), slugging percentage (second, .504), RBI (third, 44) and total bases (fifth, 128). Palka’s three pinch homers are tied with Oscar Gamble (1977), John Romano (1959) and Ron Northey (1956) for the franchise record.

His nine RBI are the most by a Sox pinch hitter since Jerry Hairston had 10 in 1987.

Palka batted fourth as the designated hitter Monday, going 1-for-4.

Fatherhood

Smith’s wife, Jessica, gave birth to the couple’s first child, Wyatt Daniel Smith, on Thursday night.

“Unbelievable. Greatest day of my life,” said Smith, whose son is named after former Sox pitcher Daniel Webb. Webb died in an ATV accident last year.

“Kind of funny — he has two webbed toes,” Smith said. “I kind of laughed when we saw those because that was Webby kind of putting his stamp on him a little bit. . . . He just keeps showing me ways he’s watching over him and keeping his eye on all of us down here.”

Loaiza expected to plead guilty

Former White Sox All-Star right-hander Esteban Loaiza is expected to change his plea from not guilty to guilty in a felony cocaine distribution case, according to an ABC7 report.

A month after attending Sox Fest in Chicago, Loaiza, 46, was arrested in San Diego in February and charged with possession with intent to distribute 44 pounds of cocaine.

Loaiza would face a 10-year mandatory minimum sentence on the felony charge, according to the report.