GLENDALE, Ariz. — The White Sox haven’t announced their Opening Day roster, but a source confirmed Sunday to the Sun-Times that utility player Leury Garcia — the longest-tenured player on the team — won’t be on it.
Garcia, 32, who signed a three-year, $16.5 million contract before last season, struggled throughout the 2022 season, and the Sox will eat the remaining two years on his deal.
Indications around the Sox’ clubhouse early Sunday were that prospect Oscar Colas will make the team as the right fielder, as expected, and sources said infielder/outfielder Romy Gonzalez also will make the Opening Day roster, joining No. 2 catcher Seby Zavala, outfielder/first baseman Gavin Sheets and infielder Hanser Alberto on the bench.
Right-hander Gregory Santos is expected to make the bullpen, according to sources. Santos beat out right-hander Nick Avila, who was thought to have an inside track because of his status as a Rule 5 draftee but did not have a strong spring, allowing eight runs in 10 innings. Right-hander Bryan Shaw, a non-roster invitee who performed well (1.08 ERA) this spring, was released from his minor-league contract, the Sox said.
A favorite of former manager Tony La Russa, Garcia — who batted .210/.233/.267 in 97 games last season — had switch-hit value, speed and experience at every position except catcher and first base. But his production waned terribly, in part because of back problems, although he didn’t produce when healthy, either.
It was thought that Garcia, who made $5.5 million last season and will be paid $5.5 million this season and next, would have a chance to stick because of his contract.
‘‘Everybody here is committed to putting the best team on the field,’’ manager Pedro Grifol said when he was asked Sunday about financial considerations affecting roster decisions. ‘‘I noticed that in my interview and with the front office on a daily basis: The commitment to win and put the best team on the field is real.’’
Garcia not making the team cleared the way for Alberto, who can play all four infield spots and is considered an excellent clubhouse presence, to make it. Alberto is batting .450/.476/.800 this spring.
The Sox acquired Garcia, who has a .253/.293/.350 hitting line in 10 seasons, in a trade with the Rangers in 2013. His departure makes shortstop Tim Anderson, who is entering his eighth season, their longest-tenured player.
Santos, who didn’t allow a run in seven appearances before giving up two on four hits Sunday, joins right-handers Kendall Graveman, Joe Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez, Jimmy Lambert and Jose Ruiz and left-handers Aaron Bummer and Jake Diekman in a bullpen without a designated closer while Liam Hendriks undergoes treatment for non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
‘‘We’ve got to evaluate the club and see what the best club looks like going to Houston,’’ Grifol said. ‘‘There’s no perfect club. There’s no way you can cover every situation that comes up. But we do our very best to look at those situations.
‘‘You’re always going to have something that makes you a little concerned.’’
Hours later, third baseman Yoan Moncada exited a game with stiffness in his lower back, another thing to be concerned about. Moncada, however, gave reporters a thumbs up from the clubhouse, saying: ‘‘Feel good, not bad.’’
‘‘I have confidence that our talent is going to show well on the field as long as we’re staying under control and preparing,’’ said right-hander Lucas Giolito, who allowed one run in 5⅓ innings against the Rockies in his final tuneup for his first regular-season start Saturday against the Astros. ‘‘It’s really going to be those short-term goals — going out and trying to win each series — and go from there.’’
