White Sox target June 25 for full capacity

The White Sox are on the verge of another step back to normal.

Before the game Friday against the Tigers, the team announced June 25 as its target to fully open Guaranteed Rate Field to fans. It’s the start of a series against the Mariners.

Season-ticket holders will be moving back to their assigned locations.

In the same announcement, the Sox said they may be able to sell additional tickets to the games against the Rays on June 14, 15 and 16.

The current allowed capacity at Guaranteed Rate Field is 60%, which is around 24,300 seats.

Nice to be here

Recalled Thursday, infielder/outfielder Gavin Sheets is still waiting for his first big-league start. But even if he isn’t playing, manager Tony La Russa thinks the experience with the Sox is valuable.

“It’s never a bad trip to come up,” La Russa said.

Brought up to replace Andrew Vaughn, Sheets had a slash line of .319/.360/.500 with Triple-A Charlotte. A 2017 second-round pick, Sheets was not an alternate-site player in 2020 but has recovered to earn a call-up to the Sox and at least a little time around a major-league club.

A first baseman by trade, Sheets has started 10 times in the outfield and made himself a more versatile player.

“A lot of hard work this last year to get ready to be in the outfield, to put myself in this position where I could do both and help this team out in any way possible at both spots,” Sheets said. “It’s extremely satisfying to be here, just with the way last year went and then to be here now and helping a team that’s in first place in the division. It’s incredible.”

Meanwhile, the Sox are hoping to get Vaughn (compliance with COVID protocols) back soon. La Russa said the Sox were waiting on one last test for Vaughn and were expecting good news. If all goes to plan, Vaughn could be back Saturday.

Good news on Lynn

La Russa said Lance Lynn should make his next start at the regular time. Despite throwing only 89 pitches Thursday, Lynn left after six innings because La Russa said “he had a couple of areas that were barking a little bit.”

With the victory against the Tigers, Lynn improved to 7-1 with a 1.23 ERA. Per Elias via the team, Lynn’s ERA is the fourth-lowest by a Sox pitcher through his first 10 starts of the season. He’s behind Eddie Cicotte (0.84 in 1919, 1.06 in 1917) and Joe Benz (1.09 in 1914).

Engel update

Rehabbing at Charlotte, Adam Engel (hamstring) will play different outfield positions this weekend to see where he’s at in his recovery.

“Everything is green light going forward,” La Russa said. “We’re excited.”

This and that

Friday was the fifth anniversary of the trade with the Padres that sent Fernando Tatis Jr. and pitcher Erik Johnson to San Diego for starter James Shields. Shields went 16-35 with a 5.31 ERA for the Sox; Tatis has blossomed into one of the best players in the game.

† The Sox are debuting their City Connect uniforms Saturday.