White Sox option Daniel Palka to Class AAA Charlotte

Daryl Van Schouwen

The White Sox optioned outfielder Daniel Palka to Class AAA Charlotte after their 4-3 loss to the Royals Wednesday at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The team’s home run leader with 27 as a rookie in 2018, Palka is 1-for-35 this season. As a pinch hitter Wednesday, he singled softly through the left side of the infield for his first hit. Palka hit into an inning ending double play his next time up.

“Ultimately I just gotta get back on my game,” said Palka, 27, who has two RBI and six walks over 13 games.

. “That’s all it is. So, the plan is to go down and get back in rhythm and when they need a bat, hopefully I’m that bat.”

“We just told him to keep his head up, get some at-bats, put himself in a good position and be ready to go when we make the call,” manager Rick Renteria said.

The Sox will make a corresponding roster move prior to Thursday afternoon’s series opener at Detroit.

Giolito leaves game with tight hamstring

In what could very well turn into a stint on the injured list, right-hander Lucas Giolito left the during the third inning with tight left hamstring.

Renteria gave no indication of the severity of the injury, and Giolito was unavailable after the game.

Giolito was breezing with 2 2/3 innings of hitless ball with five strikeouts when he felt something while pitching to Alex Gordon. Trainer Brian Ball and manager Rick Renteria went to check on the pitcher, and after Giolito took a few warmup pitches he walked off the field.

Giolito showed his frustration in the dugout, screaming into his glove. He entered the game with a 2-1 record and 6.19 ERA. In his first start of the season March 30 in Kansas City, he took a no-hitter into the seventh inning against the Royals.

Moncada leaves game with headache

Yoan Moncada was tested for a concussion but was OK after a throw from catcher Martin Maldanado hit him in the side of the helmet as he slid head first on a steal of second base in the fifth inning.

Moncada stayed in the game but wasn’t feeling well and was pinch-hit for by Palka in the seventh inning. Moncada said he’s not planning on taking a day off.

“No, I don’t think so,” he said. “I’m going to be better [Thursday] and I want to play. No concussion. I’m good, just a headache right now.”

Moncada (1-for-3) has reached base in 14 of 17 games and is 7-for-15 in his last four.

This and that

Right-hander Kelvin Herrera pitched a scoreless eighth inning against his former team, his seventh consecutive scoreless outing in relief.

*Lefty Josh Osich made his Sox debut and struck out three batters for the first time in a game since he pitched for the Giants (against the Dodgers) in 2017.