White Sox send center fielder Adam Engel to minors to work on hitting

There’s no question Adam Engel is a major-league-caliber outfielder. It’s his bat that needs work, and he’ll get a chance to work on his offensive game in the minors.

After the White Sox’ 9-2 loss Sunday to the Red Sox, they optioned Engel and left-handed reliever Caleb Frare to Class AAA Charlotte. Frare was recalled before the game and faced only one batter, walking Andrew Benintendi with the bases loaded in the eighth inning.

Engel has become known for making highlight-reel plays in center field, but his opportunities at the plate had declined, and he was hitting only .212.

Manager Rick Renteria said he told Engel he wants his ‘‘dynamic’’ defense to be accompanied by offense. Renteria said he wants Engel to get on base around 33 percent of the time and hit around .250.

‘‘Do I think he’s a big-league player? Absolutely,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘Do I think Engel will be back in the big leagues? Absolutely. Because he believes it and we believe that he has the skill to do it. We’re trying to make sure that both sides of the game are running a little more parallel.’’

While clearly disappointed, Engel seemed to take the move in stride.

‘‘I think it’s an opportunity to go and just play every day and try and get into that rhythm again and hopefully come back up sooner rather than later,’’ he said.

The Sox will announce the corresponding moves Monday.

Still a factor

If you listen to Renteria, the Sox sending right-hander Carson Fulmer back to Charlotte late Saturday isn’t a reflection of his future with the franchise.

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‘‘He’s still figuring in to be a part of this,’’ Renteria said. ‘‘He continues to be here. . . . A lot of usage has precipitated his need to be sent down.’’

The Sox’ bullpen needed reinforcements, which came when Frare was recalled and right-hander Juan Minaya’s contract was purchased from Charlotte.

In Fulmer’s last three appearances, a familiar issue cropped up: walks. In those outings, Fulmer walked seven in 1 2/3 innings. During his big-league career, Fulmer has 69 strikeouts and 55 walks, a disappointing ratio for the eighth overall pick in the 2015 draft.

Jay moved to 60-day injured list

The Sox made room for Minaya on the 40-man roster by transferring outfielder Jon Jay (hip) to the 60-day injured list. Jay, who has been on the IL since March 25, is eligible to come back May 27.

General manager Rick Hahn said Jay will go Monday to extended spring training in Arizona.

‘‘We’ll start ramping up his in-game activity there over the course of the next 10 to 14 days,’’ Hahn said. ‘‘Hopefully at some point thereafter, he’ll be able to join one of our affiliates and start a true rehab assignment.’’

Not going

Manager Alex Cora and shortstop Xander Bogaerts confirmed they would not join the Red Sox’ visit Thursday to the White House.

Cora said it was because of his belief that the U.S. government didn’t do enough to help Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria. Bogaerts kept his reason to himself.