CHICAGO -- Prior to Tuesday's game against the Orioles, White Sox outfielder Austin Hays was placed on the 10-day injured list on Tuesday with a right hamstring strain. To take Hays' place on the roster, the club selected the contract of outfielder Dustin Harris from Triple-A Charlotte.
Hays exited Monday’s 2-1 loss against the Orioles at Rate Field in the fourth inning after pulling up with a limp while chasing a fly ball that landed near the left-field line.
It appeared Hays had a good chance to catch Tyler O’Neill’s eventual RBI single, but the left fielder slowed down and began hopping on his left foot in obvious pain before the ball could land. Hays walked slowly off the field without bending his right knee with the help of a trainer.
Hays was able to grab the ball and toss it to third baseman Miguel Vargas, but a run scored on the play as Adley Rutschman went first to home.
Derek Hill, who signed with the White Sox in November, replaced Hays in left field for the remainder of the game, finishing with a stolen base and two walks.
Hays was a big offseason addition for the White Sox, providing power to the middle of the lineup with a homer and six RBIs entering Monday’s series opener. He’s also given Chicago a strong defensive option in left, with Andrew Benintendi moving to more of a designated hitter role to begin the season. It is expected that Benintendi will now play left almost every day, with a rotation at designated hitter.
“[Hays is] a guy who’s been a performer in this league,” manager Will Venable said. “He understands the nuance of being a Major League player, both on and off the field. What it means to prepare. What it means to go out there and compete. He’s a guy that our younger players look to as a veteran, in the clubhouse and on the field. It’s a tough one for the group, a tough one for Hays-y. Put so much work into this. It’s a real bummer.”