The White Sox called up veteran outfielder Warren Newson from the minors after Thursday night’s loss to the Royals and sent down left-handed-hitting Matt Merullo, who failed to bring added punch to the lineup.
Merullo appeared in 135 games for the Sox from 1989-92 and tore up Triple-A Nashville this year before being called up July 24. But since then, he appeared in eight games and was 1 for 20 with no RBIs. His lone hit was a bloop single.
Newson, who appeared in 134 games for the Sox in 1991 and 1992, was batting .341 with four homers and 21 RBI in 61 games at Nashville.
His performance was amazing considering this season has been marred by personal tragedy. His wife and unborn child were critically injured in a traffic accident in Texas at the end of spring training, when Newson was cut from the major-league roster.
“Warren gives us a little more flexibility,” said manager Gene Lamont. “We got Matt for his bat. We didn’t get him to be a third catcher. With Warren we can use him as a pinch runner. And he has more experience as a pinch hitter, too.”
Also gone …: Left-hander Wilson Alvarez, the major-league leader in walks, was sent back to the minors for 10 days to work on his control and make room for newly acquired Jose DeLeon.
More Top Picks Epson Vs240
Lamont said he planned to have Alvarez back to start Aug. 24 against the Yankees at Comiskey Park. Alvarez would make one or two starts in the minors.
It is his first trip back to the minors since August 1991, when he made his debut with the White Sox and threw a no-hitter against Baltimore.
Alvarez started this season 5-0 and had a 2.88 earned-run average after his first loss June 4. But he has lost eight of his last 11 decisions and has 98 walks-an average of 5.9 every nine innings.
Chopper slide: Bo Jackson cut his hand before Wednesday’s afternoon game while repairing his motorcycle at home. He needed eight stitches. “I was standing behind the bike and it started to go (over),” said Jackson. “My instinct was to grab it and I sliced it on a pipe.” Trainer Herm Schneider said the cut was relatively minor and Jackson could have pinch-hit Wednesday.
Leg up: Ozzie Guillen was fitted with a special molded brace designed to take the pressure off what he described as a “bone bruise” on his left ankle.