CLEVELAND -- Adam Engel's first stint with the White Sox ended on a personal high note during a 7-3 loss to the Indians Friday night at Progressive Field.
Engel singled off both Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller and swiped a base during the White Sox third straight loss and sixth defeat in seven games on this road trip. The 25-year-old center fielder was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte after the setback, leaving with a .300 average, three runs scored and four stolen bases.
"Guys up here are great. They really helped me get comfortable about as quick as a guy can get. It's been a lot of fun," Engel said. "There's just a different way to prepare up here.
"You have a little bit more information to get off of. So you have some more, I guess, assets to pull from and you try and use that to the best of your ability and get yourself as prepared as you possibly can be before each game."
This Engel move figures to make room for Alen Hanson, the utility infielder/outfielder who was claimed off of waivers by the White Sox from the Pirates prior to the loss.
Hanson, a 24-year-old hailing from the Dominican Republic, was batting .193 (11-for-57) with two triples and eight runs scored in 37 games with Pittsburgh before being placed on waivers June 2. Hanson debuted for Pittsburgh in May 2016, and he maintains rookie status this season. In 64 career games with the Pirates, he batted .205 with 13 runs scored. He also is out of options.
A three-time MLBPipeline.com Top 100 prospect (from 2013-15), Hanson's strength is his versatility. He made nine starts at second base for the Pirates this year, but he also appeared in two games at shortstop, two in right field and one at third base.
Though Hanson struggled at the plate for the Pirates this year, he fared better in seven seasons in Pittsburgh's farm system, posting a slash line of .281/.340/.435 with 53 home runs, 316 RBIs and 205 stolen bases. He originally signed with the Pirates as a free agent in 2009.
"He's an infielder, he has played some outfield. Switch-hitter. Runs well," said White Sox manager Rick Renteria when asked what he knew about Hanson. "Has had some success in the Minor Leagues, has obviously been in the big leagues a little bit last year and this year. Once we collectively put our heads together, we'll figure out what's the next phase."
With the addition of Hanson, the White Sox 40-man roster is at capacity.