HOUSTON -- Right-handed pitcher Dylan Cease and outfielder Luis Alexander Basabe have been selected to participate in the 2018 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game, which will be played at 3 p.m. CT on Sunday, July 15, at Nationals Park in Washington, DC.
Cease, the No. 4 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, will be play for the U.S. team. Basabe, the No. 13 White Sox prospect, will suit up for the World Team.
"To have those two guys join it, it's awesome for them, awesome for the organization," White Sox manager Rick Renteria said. "We're excited for their opportunity to show the world who they are and what they're about, and I hope they have some success, allow themselves to shine and have some fun."
It was last year when Michael Kopech struck out Yoan Moncada during this same competition in a battle between two of the White Sox top young players competing on that day for different teams.
Cease is 9-2 with a 3.13 ERA and 96 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings over 15 starts between Class A Advanced Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham.
Basabe is slashing .251/.351/.452 with 12 doubles, seven triples, nine home runs and 34 RBIs in 72 games with the Dash and Barons. Cease came from the Cubs as part of the Jose Quintana trade, while Basabe was part of the four-player return from Boston for Chris Sale.
Garcia can strengthen the core
Avisail Garcia doesn't pay attention to trade rumors involving his name. He doesn't hear anything from friends or family on the matter either.
"No, they don't talk about it," Garcia said. "They know I don't pay attention to that and I don't like people talking to me about that. Only rumors.
"I've been through the same thing every year. It's not something new. I don't pay attention to all of that. I control what I can control. Working hard, doing my best during the game, and whatever happens, happens. It's business. One day you are here, the next day you never know. So let's see what happens."
Since returning to action from the disabled list on June 22, Garcia leads the Majors with the highest hard-hit rate per Statcast™. Garcia's percentage checks in at 63.4 for balls hit with an exit velocity of 95+ mph, leading Nick Markakis (60.5), Manny Machado (60) and Hunter Renfroe (60).
Garcia has erased a slow start with a .339 average, 1.123 OPS, six home runs and nine RBIs upon getting healthy, and focusing again on not expanding his strike zone, which worked so well during his 2017 All-Star campaign. He could become a trade candidate for contenders, but at 27, even with only one more year of control after this one, he could be part of the team's rebuilding core.
"For sure. I'm only 27," Garcia said. "I'm old because I've been here [six] years. I feel part of it. So, let's see what happens. I came here trying to work hard and do my best and be an example for all these guys."
Anderson out of action
Shortstop Tim Anderson was sidelined Friday after being hit by a Chris Devenski pitch in the left forearm during the eighth inning of Thursday's 4-3 loss. Anderson was available to pinch-run and thought he would be back Saturday.
"It's a little sore," Anderson said before Friday's game. "Swollen a little bit, but I feel a lot better than yesterday."
"Usually there is concern because there is residual effect of the blow, but he feels he can go out and do what we need him to," Renteria said. "We're just taking a precautionary note. If I need to use him I will converse with him, but he's doing well."
Third to first
• The White Sox sent outfielder Nicky Delmonico on a rehab assignment to Birmingham on Friday. Delmonico has been on the disabled list since May 19 with a fractured third metacarpal on his right hand. He sustained the injury after being hit by a Matt Moore pitch on May 18 vs. Texas.