White Sox outfielder Andrew Benintendi left Wednesday’s game after experiencing soreness in his right hand. The team announced that he will miss 4-6 weeks with a non-displaced fracture of his right hand.
The White Sox left fielder was inserted into Will Venable’s lineup as a designated hitter on Wednesday. However, he was replaced by Brooks Baldwin after being struck in the hand with a pitch in his first at-bat.
Benintendi is expected to be a key piece of the White Sox lineup this season, making his health a priority as the team progresses through Cactus League play. The 29-year-old is entering the third year of his five-year $75 million contract that made him the highest paid player in franchise history. His two seasons in Chicago have been a letdown since inking that five-year deal. In 216 games he owns a -0.6 WAR while slashing .246/.309/.374
The White Sox were rumored to be trying to trade Benintendi this offseason, but after posting a .685 OPS last season, finding a trade partner proved to be difficult. The former All–Star finished the season with a .229 batting average, 20 homers and 64 RBIs in 477 at-bats.
The injury now opens the door for more playing time for Dominic Fletcher or Michael A. Taylor. Taylor, who was signed this offseason, was expected to serve as the team’s fourth outfielder. However, he only has 56 games of experience in left field under his belt. Fletcher hit .206 in 223 at-bats last season and appeared in one game in left-field.
