White Sox add Jake Burger, two others to 40-man roster, claim right-hander Vargas on waivers

The White Sox purchased the contracts of third baseman Jake Burger, first baseman Gavin Sheets and right-hander Tyler Johnson, promoting the trio to the 40-man roster.

By Daryl Van Schouwen

The White Sox purchased the contract of third baseman Jake Burger.

The White Sox purchased the contracts of third baseman Jake Burger, first baseman Gavin Sheets and right-hander Tyler Johnson on Friday, promoting the trio to the 40-man roster.

All three were drafted by the Sox in 2017 and are ranked by MLB Pipeline among the top prospects in the organization.

Burger was drafted 11th overall but has been sidetracked by two Achilles injuries and hasn’t played above low A Kannapolis, where he appeared in 47 games in 2017. After missing the 2018 and 2019 seasons, he played well enough in a college league and at the Sox training facility in Schaumburg to earn the spot.

The moves protect the three prospects from the Rule 5 draft in December.

The Sox also claimed right-hander Emilio Vargas off waivers from the Diamondbacks. Vargas, 24, posted a 3.84 ERA and 82 strikeouts over 96 innings covering 20 starts for Class AA Jackson and the D-backs’ Arizona Rookie League club in 2019.

Vargas owns a 3.48 ERA over seven minor-league seasons.

Friday was the deadline to make additions to the 40-man roster. The Sox roster stands at 40.

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