White Sox call up hot-hitting Sanchez
Second baseman, hitting .344 in Triple-A, replaces demoted Johnson
OAKLAND -- The White Sox officially added infielder Carlos Sanchez before Friday's contest with the A's, a day after sending Micah Johnson down to Triple-A Charlotte.
Sanchez started at second base Friday, batting ninth, and he's expected to take the lion's share of playing time at the position while veterans Gordon Beckham and Emilio Bonifacio continue to serve as backups.
Sanchez broke Spring Training with the club and went 2-for-3 on April 8 before being optioned four days later to make room for Chris Sale. The 22-year-old tore up Triple-A with a .344/.368/.466 slash line, two homers, 10 doubles and 17 RBIs in 29 games.
"I was working hard and the results were good for me," Sanchez said through team interpreter Billy Russo. "I tried to work hard, keep the focus and do my job. I don't want to think about what could happen if I [stayed] in the Majors. I just tried to keep playing my game in Triple-A. This is the result of all the hard work that I did."
White Sox manager Robin Ventura said Johnson -- who batted .270/.333/.297 in 27 games with Chicago -- wasn't overmatched offensively, but still has to work with his glove. Johnson committed three errors in the last seven games before his demotion.
"I expect [Johnson] to be back here at some point," Ventura said.
Despite Sanchez's impressive batting splits with Charlotte this year, Ventura stressed the importance of the youngster's defense.
"He can cover a lot of ground," Ventura said. "He's got good hands at second base, switch-hitter, smart player. I think he just brings some stability there right now."