White Sox Sign Grichuk to $1.25M Deal, Place Hays on IL

The Chicago White Sox signed veteran outfielder Randal Grichuk to a one-year, $1.25 million contract on Monday, adding a right-handed bat to their lineup while placing outfielder Austin Hays on the 10-day injured list with a left calf strain.

Grichuk, 34, became a free agent last week after the New York Yankees designated him for assignment. He had started the season on a minor-league deal with the Yankees, where he batted .194 in limited action, primarily against left-handed pitchers. Over his 13-year major league career, however, Grichuk has hit .268 with an .816 OPS, 79 home runs and 220 RBIs in 1,569 at-bats versus lefties. From 2022 to 2024, those numbers improved to a .317 average and .940 OPS.

The move addresses a need created by Hays' injury. Hays had missed most of April with a right hamstring strain, returned last week and played three games before the calf issue, which is expected to sideline him for at least two weeks. "With Hays going down, we needed a right-handed outfielder," White Sox manager Will Venable said. "Grichuk fit the roster, he was available, and we feel really lucky that we got him. He's a guy with a ton of experience who has performed really well in...