CHICAGO (AP) — The White Sox have placed catcher Alex Avila on the 15-day disabled list because of an injured right hamstring. Chicago recalled Kevan Smith from Triple-A Charlotte on Sunday before the series finale against the Texas Rangers.
Avila is batting .214 in 10 games. He was injured running the bases in the sixth inning Saturday.
Dioner Navarro replaced Avila in Saturday’s game and will become the No. 1 catcher, with Smith the backup. Smith was batting .345 with two homers and six RBIs for Charlotte in eight games. He has thrown out five of 11 base stealers.
White Sox manager Robin Ventura calls this a “good opportunity” for Smith. He says Smith won’t play as much as Navarro, “but he will play.”