Saunders signs minor league deal with the White Sox
Former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders (Victoria, B.C.) has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.
By Kevin Glew
Canadian Baseball Network
Six days after he was released by the Baltimore Orioles, Victoria, B.C. native Michael Saunders has signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox.
The veteran outfielder reported to the White Sox triple-A Charlotte Knights on Monday and had batting practice with the club prior to last night's game.
Saunders asked for and was granted his release by the Orioles last Tuesday. The left-handed hitting outfielder, who had inked a minor league deal with the O’s in April, had batted just .161 in 103 plate appearances with the triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides. He had not appeared in a game with the Tides since May 10.
With starting outfielders Avisail Garcia (hamstring) and Nicky Delmonico (broken hone in hand) sidelined, the White Sox have added some veteran outfield depth in Saunders and the Canadian's stay in triple-A might not be a long one.
The 31-year-old Saunders has struggled since his all-star campaign with the Blue Jays in 2016. He split 2017 between the Phillies and Blue Jays, where he hit a combined .202 with six home runs in 73 games. Saunders spent most of this spring with the Kansas City Royals before he was released on March 24.
The Canuck veteran has socked 81 home runs in parts of nine big league seasons with the Seattle Mariners, Blue Jays and Phillies.